Written by Paul Vettise
Mornington-based horseman David Brideoake has high hopes on both the training and breeding fronts in the coming weeks.
A Group 1 winner in both roles, Brideoake is confident Princess Jenni (NZ) (High Chaparral {Ire}) is back to her best after a couple of recent setbacks and is expecting a bold showing from her in Saturday’s Listed Sportsbet Pakenham Cup.
She delivered his latest top level success in last year’s G1 Schweppes Oaks at Morphettville while Brideoake’s homebred G1 The Galaxy H. winner Griante (Good Journey {USA}) has made a successful start to her broodmare career.
In a breeding partnership with Cambridge Stud’s Brendan and Jo Lindsay, Griante’s first foal by Redoute’s Choice was sold at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale to Aquis and James Bester for NZ$800,000. As Cadenabbia, he has won one of his three starts for Chris Waller.
Griante then missed to Pierro and a successful return to the Coolmore stallion resulted in a filly that will be offered through Milburn Creek’s draft at next month’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
“It’s a very good-quality filly and she’s had a Dundeel colt and gone back to The Autumn Sun,” Brideoake said. “I think we’re all pretty excited by the Pierro filly, the mare’s doing a good job and having outstanding foals.”
“I think we’re all pretty excited by the Pierro filly, the mare’s doing a good job and having outstanding foals.” – David Brideoake
The immediate focus, however, is on Princess Jenni who won the G3 Bendigo Cup at her most recent appearance in late October.
“We had a couple of hiccups after that. She must have got a clod in the eye in the Bendigo Cup and needed a bit of time to get that out of the way,” Brideoake said.
“Then blow me down, she developed a foot abscess the day before the G2 Zipping Classic so we’ve had a bit of misfortune. She would have been a lot better off at weight-for-age in the Zipping Classic and she’s got a bit of weight (61kg) to lump on Saturday, but I believe she’s in great shape.”
Princess Jenni (NZ)
Plans for Princess Jenni after the Pakenham Cup will ultimately be decided by forces out of Brideoake’s control.
“I have put in a nomination for the G2 Perth Cup, but one of the main hinging points of that will be around the logistics of getting a flight after Christmas,” he said. “If it falls into place we could potentially go there.
“Otherwise, she can quietly go into the autumn with a run or two. Her stamina is very good and the big picture would be that she hopefully is a Cups’ candidate for next spring.”
Raced by the Ottobre family, Princess Jenni was a NZ$120,000 New Zealand Bloodstock Yearling Sale purchase out of Phoenix Park’s draft. She is the first foal of the Zabeel (NZ) mare Glitzabeel (NZ), who won five races up to 2100 metres.
It is the family of Bahana (NZ) (Elusive City {USA}), who was Singapore’s Champion Stayer in 2016.
Princess Jenni (NZ) as a yearling
