Fledgling trainer Caroline Jennings will experience a day of firsts, even before two of her most talented horses attempt to continue their winning runs on Saturday.
The Pakenham trainer will have her last-start winners Arabian Hussey and Written Miss in action at Randwick and Flemington.
“I’ve never had a runner at Flemington or at Randwick and I’ve never had two runners in two states on the one day,” Jennings said.
In total, Jennings has had 17 starters for five winners.
Written Miss has had two outings for two easy all-the-way wins at Ballarat and Pakenham.
Arabian Hussey has won two of her four starts, including her most recent at Sandown Hillside on December 2.
Jennings said she would stay in Melbourne to watch Written Miss contest the Lexus Holiday Plate (1200m).
“I’d like to be in the two places but my assistant Roger Elliot will take Arabian Hussey to Sydney,” Jennings said.
Written Miss will extend to 1200 metres for the first time after posting her two wins over 1000 metres but Jennings has no concerns about the extra journey.
“Everything about her, her demeanour, her attitude said she will run 1200 metres,” she said
Jennings said she knew Written Miss had ability so her form had not been a huge surprise, although she has been a little taken aback by the dominance of her wins.
Arabian Hussey is in the mix for the Magic Millions Guineas and her performance in Saturday’s Schweppes Handicap (1400m) at Randwick will determine whether she heads down that path.
“We’ll see how she handles the heat, the trip, the stress and take it from there,” Jennings said.
“She also needs a lift in prize money to get into that race.”
The Irish-born Jennings, who has spent time working in the United States with horse whisperer Monty Roberts, is the private trainer for Kennedy Racing, which is owned by successful jeweller James Kennedy.
Jennings says she is thankful for the opportunity and support Kennedy has given her.
“He questions me, he motivates me, he challenges me. He’s got such great knowledge as to how to run a business and a great passion for racing,” she said.
When Jennings accepted the position as Kennedy Racing’s private trainer at the start of the year, she was thrilled that former New Zealand jockey and foreman at Gai Waterhouse’s Melbourne stable, Roger Elliot, would also be part of the team.
“Roger is invaluable for me. We worked together at Gai’s stables and we understand each other. I’m always learning from him,” she said.
