Western Australia is punching above its weight at the Melbourne Spring Carnival and the winning run continued when Amelia’s Affair launched Melbourne Cup Day with a dazzling debut in the time-honoured G3 Maribyrnong Plate (1000m) at Flemington.
Amelia’s Affair (2f Home Affairs – Dance Music by War Chant) vied for the lead down the straight with Funded (Farnan) before accelerating at the clock tower to score by the best part of three lengths from Royal Press (Alabama Express).
Bred in the south-west at Vasse by Peter Walsh, Amelia’s Affair (Photo / Racing Photos) was ridden by WA expat Damien Lane who partnered Amelia’s Jewel (Siyouni) to win the G2 Let’s Elope Stakes (1400m) in the same colours at Flemington in 2023.
She also follows WA-bred stars Cosmic Crusader (Maurice) and Smooth Chino (Maschino) who doubled up in the G1 Cox Plate (2040m) and G2 McEwen Stakes (1200m) at Flemington last Saturday week.
“I walked the track and it favoured the grandstand rail,” Lane reported. “We drew the inside and I thought she would struggle to cross them. But she’s fast and got across before letting down to put the race to bed.”
Amelia Park entered Amelia’s Affair for the 2026 Gold Coast Magic Millions in January when she was knocked down for $700,000 to Archibald Racing. Sold through the consignment from Segenhoe Stud (as agent) she attracted plenty of competition in the last hour of trade on Day 1.
“We love this filly and Amelia Park has stayed in which is a good sign,” trainer Annabel Archibald said shortly after signalling the winning bid. “She’s a standout physical and looks like a very fast two year-old. Segenhoe’s stats also put things in your favour at the sales.”
Fast forward to Flemington on Tuesday, Archibald declared Amelia’s Affair will take her owners on a good ride. “It’s a massive thrill. Having that gate speed is an asset and she relaxed beautifully. We will take her back home to Sydney and either go to the (RL) Magic Millions 2YO Classic in January or put her away for races like the (G1) Golden Slipper in March.”
Peter Walsh bred her using Coolmore Stud sire Home Affairs (I Am Invincible) over Dance Music (War Chant) whose most recent foal is a yearling filly by Capitalist. She banked over $1 million during a career comprising 12 wins to Group 3 level in the Northerly Stakes (1400m) and La Trice Classic (1800m).
