By Paul Vettise
David Brideoake has planned a relatively light spring for his Group 1 winner Princess Jenni (NZ) (High Chaparral {Ire}) and is adopting a quiet approach in the belief that she won’t be at the peak of her powers until next year.
The Mornington trainer is pleased with her condition ahead of her spring opener in Saturday’s G2 Let’s Elope S. at Flemington, her first appearance since she finished 6th in the G1 Queensland Oaks. She was previously successful in the G1 Schweppes Oaks at Morphettville.
Damien Oliver has ridden Princess Jenni in her last four starts and he has been booked to continue his association with the 4-year-old at the weekend.
“We’ve had a trouble-free preparation to this stage. She had a trial at Cranbourne and a gallop at Sandown between races and I’m really pleased with her,” Brideoake said.
“Her lead-up work has all been good and I would expect a pretty good showing first-up.”
“Her lead-up work has all been good and I would expect a pretty good showing first-up.” – David Brideoake.
Princess Jenni remained in Queensland to spell and is in excellent order, although Brideoake said she won’t be over-taxed during her upcoming campaign.
“I’m really pleased with the way she has developed since the autumn and she spelled well up there. I believe she’s continuing to improve and she’s developing into a mare with a big frame.
“We’re going to take our time with her and once she develops fully we’re going to have a very big and powerful mare on our hands.”
Princess Jenni when winning the G1 Schweppes Oaks at Morphettville
Princess Jenni’s main aim in Melbourne is likely to be the G1 Myer Classic at Flemington on Derby Day, although a $7.5 million carrot in Sydney is hard to ignore.
“That’s one of the plans and the other consideration is that there are some quite good options in Sydney as well,” Brideoake said.
“The 1500 metre race, the Golden Eagle, is a race we have to pay attention to – it’s worth an incredible amount of money. We’ll see where it all takes us and we’re not making any definite calls at this stage.
“The 1500 metre race, the Golden Eagle, is a race we have to pay attention to – it’s worth an incredible amount of money.” – David Brideoake.
“They are on the agenda and we’ll start off on Saturday and see where we stand. We’ll tread quietly and keep those Melbourne and Sydney options open.
“She’s not going to have a lot of runs in the spring. My firm belief is that I’ve got the frame of an incredibly big, strong mare and as time goes on she will fully furnish into a real force to be reckoned with in the autumn, or even in 12 months.
“She’s got the pedigree and she’s naturally a very fit horse. She’s got a big capacity which makes the training easy. We want to preserve her until she gets to full strength and anything’s possible with her then.”
Princess Jenni (NZ) as a yearling
Bred by The Sunlight Trust, Princess Jenni was offered by Phoenix Park at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale in 2017 and was purchased for NZ$120,000 by Tony and Lynn Ottobre and their son Mick and is named after their late daughter.
Princess Jenni is the only foal to race for the Zabeel (NZ) mare Glitzabeel (NZ), who was successful five times up to 2100 metres, and her second dam is the G2 Magic Night S. winner Precious Glitter (Danehill {USA}).
She is a half-sister to the G3 Hawkesbury Gold Cup winner and G1 Flight S. runner-up Beauty Watch (Belong To Me {USA}). It’s also the family of the former champion Singapore stayer Bahana (NZ) (Elusive City (USA}).
