Whether black type races come this preparation or beyond, Gavin Bedggood has a talented filly on his hands with Jenni The Ninja.
Having just her second career start, the daughter of Shalaa measured up to, and accounted for Group-performed fillies when taking the Jockey Celebration Sprint Handicap (1100m) at Flemington on Saturday.
Sent out a bookies $5.50 chance under Beau Mertens, Jenni The Ninja was cluttered up between runners down the straight but followed $3.90 favourite and leader Military Tycoon, showing a sharp turn of speed once clear to prevail by a length, with $6 chance Conscience a further 1-1/4 lengths back in third.
Bedggood said her preparation had already been fragmented since a maiden win at Pakenham on November 28th.
“I was keen to run her in a three-year-old benchmark 64 at Cranbourne a fortnight after Pakenham and Tony (Ottobre, owner) said we’d put her out,” Bedggood said.
“She had a fortnight at the paddock and he rang me up and said we’re going to send her back.
“She came back with obviously good residual fitness. We gave her a tick over jump out and she trialled up very well.
“Today was a bit of a step into the unknown, coming from a maiden win, and there were a couple of well-credentialed horses there.
“But we were going to find out where she sits amongst the ranks and, I suppose, she was going to sink or swim, and she’s definitely swam.”
Having beaten Group 3 winner Military Tycoon, while also easily accounting for Esha, who contested the Group 1 Moir Stakes (1000m) last time in, Jenni The Ninja appears destined for black type racing, but when that day is remains to be seen.
“I actually haven’t had a look at the calendar, Bedggood said.
“Me and Tony will have a chat on Monday, I guess, and see how she comes through the run and make a plan.
“She’s a nice filly moving forward and I’m very grateful to have her in my stable.”