Caulfield Cup winner Jameka will not defend the race with the mare still recovering from the effects of travel sickness.

Jameka was found to have the respiratory condition when she returned home to Melbourne from Sydney after a dominant 6-1/2 length win in the Group One BMW at Rosehill in late March.

Her illness put paid to overseas ambitions this year but Maher had been hopeful she could return for the spring.

But on Friday he announced the mare would need an extended break to continue her recovery and would miss the carnival.

Jameka, who won the Group One VRC Oaks in 2015, has earned almost $5 million during her career which includes wins from 1400 to 2500 metres.