A day in the life of Jameka

Standing at the side of the pool with her head held high, Jameka rushes into the water to take a well-deserved afternoon swim at Caulfield.

It is the end of a long day for the four-year-old mare who is the second favourite for the Melbourne Cup on November 1.

“She gallops twice a week, swims in the afternoons and goes to the beach for post work recovery” Jameka’s handler Ian Gilcrist told AAP about the mare’s military-like training regime.

“Then she starts it all again the next day”.

Jameka’s training is aimed at becoming the first horse since Ethereal in 2001 to win both the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups.

Her trainer Ciaron Maher first fell in love with the thoroughbred after noticing her big swagger and lovely balance but he did not anticipate her attitude.

It was because of the combination of those qualities her owners decided to call her Serena after champion tennis player Serena Williams.

That was already taken so they went with Williams’ middle name, Jameka.

“She is confident, can be stroppy, arrogant, and she will walk all over you” Maher said.

It is an observation shared by most staff at the Caulfield stables Jameka calls home.

But back in her box, the mare is just happy rubbing noses with her stablemate Cha Chang and where her handlers still call her Serena.