A trackwork mishap ended Jolie Bay’s autumn campaign before it started but the mare is back to make up for lost time.
Jolie Bay hasn’t started since beating all bar Nechita in the Group One Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) during last year’s spring carnival.
Jolie Bay - Photo by Steve Hart
She makes her return in the TheShark.com.au Stakes (1100m) on Saturday where she’ll be joined by Group-winning stablemate Neeson.
Wayne Hawkes, who trains Jolie Bay in partnership with his father John and brother Michael, said the daughter of Fastnet Rock slipped in trackwork last campaign and pulled up sore so she was sent for a spell and missed the autumn.
He said the Group Two winner was given plenty of time off and it’s hoped she will return to her best this spring.
“Because if she can she’s a proper horse,” Hawkes said.
“And they are hard to get.
“She’s definitely a Group One horse.”
Jolie Bay is on the second line of betting for the Group Three sprint and faces favourite Samaready who hasn’t raced for even longer than the Hawkes-trained mare.
Last year’s Blue Diamond winner Samaready has been absent from the races since the Quezette Stakes just over 12 months ago.
Neeson will also represent the stable in the Group Three sprint.
A seven-year-old, Neeson has only had one start for the Hawkes team after being transferred from the Joe Pride stable where he won eight from 30 starts, including the Group Two Premiere Stakes and Group Three Tramway Handicap.
He was was beaten a half length in the June Stakes at his only start for the Hawkes team.
Hawkes said Neeson had arrived in Melbourne from their Sydney stables a week and a half ago and had settled in well.
