Jennilala returns to Caulfield this weekend, a year after finishing runner-up in the Easter Cup, now targeting success in the other headline race on the card.
The talented mare will line up in Saturday’s Group 3 Victoria Handicap (1400m), her second start for trainer Gavin Bedggood since switching from the Ciaron Maher yard.
Jennilala made a winning debut for her new stable in the Group 3 Matron Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on March 8, and Bedggood already has his sights set on another feature mile race in the coming weeks.
The Group 2 Queen Of The Turf Stakes (1600m) at Morphettville on April 26 is her likely next assignment, with this weekend’s event seen as an ideal lead-up.
After her Flemington win, Jennilala was given a freshen-up with a week in the paddock and has impressed in her recent work, according to Bedggood.
“She’s had a couple of gallops the last couple of Saturday mornings and I think she’s fresh enough to run really well over the 1400 metres on Saturday,” Bedggood said.
“She probably beat the ‘B grade’ mares last start if you’re truly honest and this race, it sets her up nicely to go to Adelaide and tackle the Queen Of The South in three weeks’ time.
So, rather than being seven weeks between runs, it’s a nice tick over race, but I would be disappointed if she didn’t run really well.”
Jennilala carries the same ownership as Pride Of Jenni, who rose to Horse of the Year honours with an outstanding six-year-old campaign that included wins in the Group 1 Empire Rose Stakes, Champions Mile, All-Star Mile, and Queen Elizabeth Stakes.
At five, Jennilala may still have her best racing ahead. She’s already a Group 3 winner, having taken out the Auraria Stakes at three, and has proven effective across a range of distances from 1400m to 2000m.
Bedggood holds her in high regard and appreciates her nature.
“She’s the kindest mare, the soundest mare we’ve got,” Bedggood said.
“She takes everything in her stride and is a nice horse to have around.”
Craig Newitt, who was in the saddle for her Matron Stakes win, will reunite with Jennilala again this Saturday.
