Princess Jenni’s Late Dash For Perth Cup

Classy Mornington mare Princess Jenni has arrived in Perth and is ready for her assignment in the Perth Cup on Saturday.

Her trainer David Brideaoke said she left early on Thursday morning and travelled well.

Brideoake thinks Princess Jenni is weighted to win the Group 2 Perth Cup (2400 metres) but fears the top-weight Truly Great.

“Bob Peters has a big opinion of him and he was looking at bringing him over for the Australian Cup in the autumn but there you are he’s in the Perth Cup,” Brideoake said.

Truly Great has won six of his past seven starts including the Group 1 Kingston Town Stakes.

Truly Great will carry 60 kg which is four kilograms more than Princess Jenni and Brideoake is hoping that could make the difference.

“I think she’s well in and is ready to run a big race. She’ll have a couple of easy days and will be ready for Saturday,” he said.

Brideoake said Princess Jenni, who won the Bendigo Cup last spring, was now a fully furnished mare and was used to travelling.

“We’ve taken her to Adelaide and Brisbane previously. She’s used to it and handles it well,” he said.

Princess Jenni will carry 56 kg and will be ridden by Melbourne Cup winning jockey Jye McNeil. Truly Great is a $2.20 favourite with TAB fixed odds and Princess Jenni is $9.50.

At Flemington on Friday , Brideoake has one runner which is stayer Diamondsandbubbles in the Bagot Handicap, who is a $34 chance.

“I know we’re the outsider. Every now and then light-weights win races like this and we’re happy to chance our arm,” he said.

“A few are carrying a bit of weight. She’s fit and we want to give her her chance in a race like this over ground.”

Six of the past eight Bagot Handicap winners have carried the minimum weight of 54 kg.