Jessy Belle dodges Azkadellia, hoping for Flemington win
LUKE Oliver is hoping the decision to dodge Azkadellia in the Mannerism Stakes will be rewarded with a stakes win for Jessy Belle at Flemington.
Jessy Belle is nominated for two 1400m group 3 races at Flemington on Saturday and her Caulfield trainer says the mare will take on her own sex in the Frances Tressady Stakes.
Oliver opted to keep Jessy Belle away from the Mannerism at Caulfield won by Azkadellia.
“I didn’t think we could beat Azkadellia. Jessy Belle goes well at Flemington and has won a couple of races there, so it seemed to make sense to wait,” Oliver said.
“It probably looks an easier option on Saturday.”
Jessy Belle resumed in the group 3 Bellmaine Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on February 13, running eighth after settling back in the field.
She was just over three lengths from Tuscan Sling with Azkadellia second.
“Her closing splits were second best in the race behind Azkadellia, so I think she’s come back well,” Oliver said.
The five-year-old was placed three times at group level during a consistent and sometimes luckless spring campaign last year and is striving to win at black-type level for the first time.
“She’s going to be a valuable breeding mare later on,” Oliver said.
“She’s won over half a million dollars and is stakes placed but just to add to that we need to get the stakes win next to her name.”
Jessy Belle’s two Flemington wins came last winter including the Leilani Series Final.
Chris Symons retains the ride on Saturday.
The Frances Tressady Stakes, which has attracted 18 nominations, is one of six stakes races on Saturday’s program which is highlighted by the group 1 Australian Guineas for three-year-olds.