A familiar face returns to Caulfield this weekend, as Jennilala gears up for another big race — this time in the Group 3 Victoria Handicap (1400m) on Saturday.

After running second in last year’s Easter Cup, the now five-year-old mare heads into her second outing for trainer Gavin Bedggood, who took over her preparation from Ciaron Maher earlier this year.

Jennilala made an immediate impact for her new stable, winning the Group 3 Matron Stakes (1600m) at Flemington in March, and Bedggood is using this weekend’s assignment to launch into another feature mile target.

The Group 2 Queen Of The Turf Stakes (1600m) at Morphettville later this month looms as her next step, with Saturday serving as an important lead-in.

“She’s had a couple of gallops the last couple of Saturday mornings and I think she’s fresh enough to run really well over the 1400 metres on Saturday,” Bedggood said.

“She probably beat the ‘B grade’ mares last start if you’re truly honest and this race, it sets her up nicely to go to Adelaide and tackle the Queen Of The South in three weeks’ time.

So, rather than being seven weeks between runs, it’s a nice tick over race, but I would be disappointed if she didn’t run really well.”

Owned by the same connections as superstar Pride Of Jenni, Jennilala is showing signs she could follow a similar path. Pride Of Jenni didn’t reach her best until six, claiming victories in the Group 1 Empire Rose Stakes, Champions Mile, All-Star Mile, and Queen Elizabeth Stakes.

Jennilala, who won the Auraria Stakes at three, has already shown she’s competitive over various distances between 1400m and 2000m, and Bedggood believes there’s more to come.

“She’s the kindest mare, the soundest mare we’ve got,” he said.

“She takes everything in her stride and is a nice horse to have around.”

Craig Newitt, who piloted her to her Flemington win, retains the ride this weekend.