Jennilala returns with strong victory in Matron Stakes
Jennilala has kicked off her career under new trainer Gavin Bedggood in the best possible way by taking out the Group 3 Matron Stakes (1600m) at Flemington.
The daughter of Shalaa was transferred from the Ciaron Maher stable before starting this preparation, but she was unwated in betting, drifting from +600 out to +750 with Unibet before the jump.
Wrote To Arataki (+500) jumped well from her inside gate and took up the lead ahead of Wishlor Lass (+1000) and Miraval Rose (+600), while the winner settled in fourth in a perfect position.
Dean Yendall upped the ante on the leader as the field ran around the home turn, which left a few of the runners flat-footed, but it didn’t worry the eventual winner as Craig Newitt hadn’t asked for the ultimate effort yet.
Once asked, Jennilala started to take ground off the leaders and eventually levelled up before putting her head in front at the 100m mark.
Charisse (+2200) flashed home through the pack to run into third place, but it was Jennilala who recorded a victory by a half length over Wrote To Arataki.
Gavin Bedggood spoke about the win post-race.
“This is my second runner for Tony and I’m rapt to get a result,” Bedggood said.
“I wanted to go the a 1400-metre race today, but Tony gave me a nudge to go to this race, and I really wanted to draw a low gate with her where she’d get that third or fourth (spot) sort of run.
“There didn’t look to be a lot of speed on paper and I thought she may find herself outside the leader.
“It worked out perfectly. Craig rode her great, and it was a great watch.
“She came to us a very sound horse. I’m glad I had her fit enough to go to a mile first-up.
“She’ll probably go to Tony’s farm this week for a freshen up, and then we’ll look to the Queen Of The South.”
Craig Newitt was very happy to get the win for owner Tony Ottobre.
“She’s kept her fresh record in tact,” Newitt said.
“She’s dynamite fresh and it was a very good training effort by Gavin to get her first-up over a mile but she is such a relaxed customer.
“She flies the gates and put herself in the one-one, switches off, and rested the first half of the race.
“I was confident she would be in the finish and it was just a matter of how strong she would be late and she was tough.”
“I thought I might have been outside the leader but when Jamie (Melham on Wishlor Lass) edged off the fence, I was able to take cover.
“Especially good to win for Tony. He has given me the keys to the good ones. Nice to get another mare over the line.”
Comments are closed.