Commanding Jewel gave her dam Regard a running double in the G1 Thousand Guineas at Caulfield on Wednesday.  Her three-quarter sister Atlantic Jewel (Fastnet Rock) won last year’s edition on the way to an unbeaten campaign in 2011-12.

Commanding Jewel (3f Commands – Regard by Zabeel) pounced on the leaders and then powered clear from Dear Demi (Dehere) and Zydeco (Zabeel).  Sadly, breeder Greg Perry lost Regard soon after she foaled the Group 1 fillies.

The Leon Corstens trained filly won a Swan Hill maiden on debut and then doubled up at Moonee Valley in August.  She followed up with placings in the G3 Thousand Guineas Prelude and G2 Edward Manifold Stakes before clinching the classic with lengths to spare.

“She may lack maturity but you only get one chance at a Thousand Guineas,” Corstens said.  “I expected her to take plenty out of that run in the Manifold Stakes.”

The winner was beautifully ridden by besieged jockey Damien Oliver who claimed his fifth Thousand Guineas after Azzurro (1992), Special Harmony (2003), Alinghi (2004) and Gallica (2008).  “Damien is unbelievable,” Corstens said.  “He rode her to get the mile today and it worked out terrific.”

Commanding Jewel is the 8th individual Group 1 winner for Darley sire Commands and his second elite winner this season following Epaulette in the Golden Rose.  She was a $205,000 buy for leading syndicator Brad Spicer at the 2011 Gold Coast Magic Millions.

Currently Australia’s leading sire with earnings of $2.38 million this season, Commands stands at Darley Kelvinside for a $55,000 (inc gst) fee.

– Karl Patterson