English import Jaameh could have earned himself a place in the 2019 Melbourne Cup with a hard fought win in the 2018 Group 3 $300,000 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2600m) at Flemington today.

Jaameh, above in blue colours, fights back to win the 2018 Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Flemington. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.

Jaameh just missed out on a place in this year’s Group 1 $7.3m Lexus Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington last Tuesday  but Lindsay Park’s head trained David Hayes said that today’s win would most probably get him into the field next year.

“I think that might be enough to get him in,” David Hayes said.

“He is a genuine two miler and we haven’t got to two mile yet so what won that was his staying ability.”

“He is a quality horse, backed up, and I think he is better with his races spaced.”

Jaameh was backing up this week after finishing third in the Group 3 $300,000 Lexus Stakes (2500m) at Flemington last Saturday but a win in that race would have seen him grab a spot in this year’s Melbourne Cup.

Winning jockey Mark Zahra produced a first class ride on Jaameh ($3.30 favourite) who settled well in fifth and sixth position close to the fence and then he rode for luck in the straight.

The split came at the 300m mark and Zahra drove Jaameh through the gap but was immediately set upon to his outside by Sully ($10) under the hard riding off Regan Bayliss.

Sully actually poked his head in front at one stage but Zahra was able to lift Jaameh in the last 25m and the import went on to get the judge’s decision by a nose.

The Chris Waller trained Libran ($8) was two lengths back in third spot.

David Hayes trains in partnership with his son Ben and nephew Tom Dadernig and the Lindsay Park Team was relieved to get their first Flemington winner over the four day Melbourne Cup Carnival, but their chances looked dashed when the runner up Sully loomed up to his outside and actually put his head in front at the 100m.