Jaminzah wins again at Flemington

The decision to run Jaminzah for the second time in as many weekends at Flemington has been rewarded with another win for the progressive gelding.

Jaminzah won a 1600m benchmark-70 on the opening weekend of the new season and fronted up again in Saturday’s VRC Member William O’Grady Handicap (1700m).

With Stephen Baster again on board, the Chris Waller-trained Jaminzah ($4) settled in the second half of the field in the benchmark-84 handicap before winding up on the outside in the straight.

The four-year-old arrived in time to win by a long head over $3.70 favourite Portion Control, who made his run with the winner, while leader Duke Of Ellington ($13) held on for third another short head away.

“He pulled up well and ate well after last week,” said Waller’s Melbourne stable representative, Johanne Taylor.

“We gave him a quiet trip to the beach and he showed all the signs that he bounced back from his run nicely so there was no reason not to run him.

“He seems to be a nice progressive horse and seems to be running with quite a bit of confidence now.”

The win was Jaminzah’s third from seven starts this preparation and Baster believes the gelding will continue to improve.

Two races later, the stable brought up a winning double at the meeting courtesy of another four-year-old gelding, Wayanka, who was backing up from the same Flemington race a week ago.

Wayanka ($4.20) finished fourth to Jaminzah a week ago and dropped back in distance to 1400m in Saturday’s VRC Member Joan Watson Handicap, winning by 1-1/2 lengths under Damien Oliver.