"I would love to have the opportunity to continue campaigning her in Australia but it is just a little bit tricky. We are hoping things open up and that can happen in the new year. When she goes to Australia, we would love to keep Lisa Allpress [jockey] on her as well. We would like to keep the same team ideally."
While an Australian campaign is in the offing, Keegan is looking forward to Saturday, when Aimee's Jewel will have her first crack at Group 1 glory in the Rydges Wellington Captain Cook Stakes (1600m) at Trentham.
The daughter of Proisir heads into the race in good form, having won three of her five career starts, and Keegan is confident the rain-affected track (rated Heavy11 yesterday morning) and mile distance are ideal for the 4-year-old.
"We are super happy with her. She has come through the Riccarton trip well, she has thrived on it. She is a very special horse who is still on the improve. She is still six months away from probably being at her best physically and she is still learning.
"I see the track is a Heavy11. She won her first two starts on heavy tracks, so that shouldn't be too much of a bother for her. It will be her first time stepping up to the mile, which we think will suit her."
Keegan said she will wait to see how her charge comes through Saturday's race before making any plans but there are three options.
"We will just see how she comes through the run and then figure out what we do with her next from there, whether we look for another race here, give her a spell, or go to Australia," Keegan said.
"It has always been the plan with Troy's horses, to get them up and going here, and if they were good enough, get them over there [Australia] in time. She is looking like she has got a good career ahead of her."
Keegan is thankful she decided to head to New Zealand Bloodstock's Yearling Sales at Karaka a few years ago where a chance encounter with Pannell subsequently led to Aimee's Jewel coming into her care.
- NZ Racing Desk