If Jenabel reproduces her last win, trainer Natalie Burke is confident of success in the Peter Evans Memorial Handicap (1700m) at Carnarvon on Sunday.
Jenabel toyed with her opposition three weeks ago and despite racing wide she proved too strong and had four lengths to spare on runner-up Marxian.
After taking a couple of runs to warm up early in her preparation, Natalie Burke says Jenabel has hit peak form with three wins and second from her past four starts.
She believes the eight-year-old is poised to go one better after finishing a close second to Tom Almighty in last year’s Peter Evans Memorial Handicap.
“She is flying and I think there is improvement from her last start,” Burke told The Races WA.
“It’s the best run I’ve ever had out of her.
“She did it easy and Kate (Southam) said she didn’t have to pull the whip, she just sat up on her.
“She is absolutely blooming at this time of the year.
“I don’t think I have done anything differently.
“I think it’s the environment she’s in, she’s a happy horse.
“She goes to the paddock and beach every day.
“I’m happy with where she’s at.”
Jenabel is following an identical path to last year’s campaign, but Burke is planning on a different result.
After her second in the Peter Evans Memorial Handicap, she backed up and ran a disappointing seventh in the Carnarvon Cup (2000m).
However, Burke says Jenabel is in better shape tackling this year’s Carnarvon Cup than she was 12-momnths ago.
“She’s a lot better than last year,” Burke said.
“Last year she was starting to go on the downslide.
“She was getting tired and feeling her joints a bit.
“But she is a different horse this prep.”
Jenabel will jump from barrier one. Kate Southam maintains the ride.
Burke also saddles up Counter Drive in the Peter Evans Memorial. From his past eight appearances the six-year-old has not missed a top three finish.
He’s been ultra-consistent over the shorter trips, but is on trial at 1700m.
“It’s a bit of an unknown as he has never been over 1700m,” Burke said.
“It was either go into a 1000m race but he is not quick enough for that.
“We’ll try him and see what he does, it won’t do him any harm.”
Colin Haddon will ride Counter Drive. The gelding has drawn barrier nine.
Burke believes Broome raiders, Deception Game and Ulusaba pose the biggest threat to Jenabel and Counter Drive.
Burke is chasing her third feature win of the northern winter season after Scenic Lord won the Roebourne Cup (2200m) and Counter Drive the Harding Cup (1400m).
