Champion jockey Damien Oliver has had to call on all his skills to get Princess Jenni home in the Group One Australasian Oaks at Morphettville in Adelaide.
Trained at Mornington in Victoria by David Brideoake, the filly found herself in traffic more than once but Oiiver was patient and steered her through a gap late in Saturday’s 2000m-race.
Sent out at the $3.30 favourite, Princess Jenni beat Mirette ($11) by three-quarters of a length with House Of Cartier ($21) close-up third.
Brideoake’s racing manager Alex Woodhams was on hand and admitted to some nerves but had faith in the jockey.
“You put Ollie on and he produces something special most of the time,” Woodhams told broadcaster racing.com.
“She has a great turn of foot and sprinted when the gap came.”
Oliver said he had not been too worried during the race which was delayed several minutes when one of the on-course ambulances broke down.
“She’s a good filly and she’s been in great form,” Oliver said.
“I was able to utilise the barrier (2).
“I got a little bit hemmed in coming to the turn but was able to follow some good horses through.
“I went to edge out then looked back inside and saw Dwayne Dunn go that way so I ducked back and got through there.”
Princess Jenni was withdrawn from the Adrian Knox Stakes in Sydney amid concerns over a mark on her neck on race day but has since won at Caulfield.
