Whether it is this preparation or further down the line, Gavin Bedggood believes black-type racing is firmly on the agenda for Jenni The Ninja.
The Shalaa filly delivered a standout performance at just her second career appearance, accounting for Group-performed rivals to land the Jockey Celebration Sprint Handicap (1100m) at Flemington.
Ridden by Beau Mertens, Jenni The Ninja was sent out a bookies $5.50 chance and found herself momentarily short of room down the straight.
After latching onto $3.90 favourite Military Tycoon, she unleashed a strong finish once clear to win by a length, with Conscience ($6) finishing a further 1¼ lengths away.
Bedggood said the filly’s build-up had not been seamless following her maiden win at Pakenham on November 28.
“I was keen to run her in a three-year-old benchmark 64 at Cranbourne a fortnight after Pakenham and Tony (Ottobre, owner) said we’d put her out,” Bedggood said.
“She had a fortnight at the paddock and he rang me up and said we’re going to send her back.
“She came back with obviously good residual fitness. We gave her a tick over jump out and she trialled up very well.
“Today was a bit of a step into the unknown, coming from a maiden win, and there were a couple of well-credentialed horses there.
“But we were going to find out where she sits amongst the ranks and, I suppose, she was going to sink or swim, and she’s definitely swam.”
The victory saw Jenni The Ninja beat Group 3 winner Military Tycoon and comfortably account for Esha, who contested the Group 1 Moir Stakes (1000m) at her previous outing.
Markets are open with leading online bookmakers for upcoming Flemington sprints, offering punters plenty of wagering options.
“I actually haven’t had a look at the calendar,” Bedggood said.
“Me and Tony will have a chat on Monday, I guess, and see how she comes through the run and make a plan.
“She’s a nice filly moving forward and I’m very grateful to have her in my stable.”
The post Jenni The Ninja executes Flemington plan first appeared on Just Horse Racing.
