After overcoming a couple of minor issues, Bendigo Cup winner Princess Jenni is ready to make it consecutive feature country wins in the Pakenham Cup, according to her trainer David Brideoake.
Princess Jenni hasn’t started since October 28 when she held off Pondus to win the Bendigo Cup but it hasn’t been for lack of trying.
Brideoake was forced to scratch her twice due to minor ailments.
Firstly, Brideoake had to take her out of the Matriarch Stakes at Flemington due to an eye injury.
She recovered from that and Brideoake had her ready for the Zipping Classic the following Saturday at Sandown but the discovery of a foot abscess led to her being scratched again.
Brideoake said the mare was over those minor issues and was ready for the $300,000 Pakenham Cup over 2500 metres on Saturday.
“I’m very pleased with the horse. I’m very confident about her at the track and distance,” Brideoake said.
“Her weight worries me but I’m happy to roll the dice.”
Brideoake’s main concern is Princess Jenni having to carry 61kg.
He pointed out that Haky, who finished third behind her in the Bendigo Cup, would meet her 3.5kg better and was only two lengths behind her.
“I’m optimistic about her prospects though. Her work over the last couple of weeks and all of her gallops suggest she’s ready to run a big race,” he said.
Princess Jenni will be ridden by Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Jye McNeil, who partnered her to victory at Bendigo.
Princess Jenni was a $5.50 chance with TAB fixed odds on Thursday.
Market 💰: View the Odds for the Pakenham Cup
Brideoake said Princess Jenni would be spelled after Saturday and he would target the Mornington Cup with her in a bid to win a golden ticket into next year’s Caulfield Cup.
