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Blueblood filly wins on debut at Rotorua; Princess Jenni out to claim another Cup; Inspirational Girl drawn wide;

Blueblood filly wins on debut at Rotorua

Well-related three-year-old Cheaperthandivorce  made the perfect start to her racing career on Wednesday winning the TW Moore 1400 at Rotorua for Roger James and Robert Wellwood.

The daughter of Savabeel had finished second behind subsequent winner Explosively at her only trial performance which lead Wellwood to believe she would put in a good showing on debut.

"We were pleased with her trial leading into the race," he said.

"The fact that the horse that beat her came out and won at Te Rapa gave us a bit of confidence.

"It was still impressive to see her perform so professionally on Wednesday and see her put them away so easily."

Ridden by Vinnie Colgan, Cheaperthandivorce jumped smartly and settled just off the pace before showing a ready turn of foot to win by a comfortable 1 ½ lengths.

Cheaperthandivorce is the only filly out of Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m) winner Boundless and is raced by her breeders Brent, Cherry and Faith Taylor of Trelawney Stud.

Princess Jenni out to claim another Cup

Although an enforced five-week break between runs is not ideal, trainer David Brideoake lacks no confidence he has the right mix for his star mare Princess Jenni to win Saturday's A$300,000 Pakenham Cup (2500m).

The New Zealand-bred five-year-old has not raced since winning the Gr.3 Bendigo Cup (2400m) in late October.

"A foot abscess meant she couldn't run in the Zipping Classic (Gr.2, 2400m), which was a bit of a nuisance, but we've pressed on and she's coming into this race fresh and in good shape," Brideoake said.

"Jye (McNeil) rode her so well at Bendigo and it's nice to have his services again as he's really taken giant steps in his career."

The 25-year-old McNeil has won a few Cup races this year away from his Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) triumph on Twilight Payment and Princess Jenni's Bendigo Cup victory, as he also partnered Steel Prince to a Gr.3 Geelong Cup (2400m) triumph.

McNeil won the 2018 Pakenham Cup on Kiwi raider Our Big Mike, who is also an acceptor for Saturday's race.

Princess Jenni will jump from the outside barrier of 10 in Saturday's race, where the mare will carry a hefty 61 kilograms.

"She's got that sort of weight because of what's she's done over her career," Brideoake said of the Gr.1 Schweppes Oaks (2000m) winner.

A top-three placing will be enough for Princess Jenni to become racing's newest millionaire as her earnings are just $24,000 short of that mark so far after just 19 career runs.

Bred by the Sunlight Trust, Princess Jenni was purchased out of Phoenix Park's 2017 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Yearling Sale draft for $120,000.

Raced by Tony and Lynn Ottobre, Princess Jenni is named after their late daughter Jenni, who succumbed to brain cancer in 2015.

Inspirational Girl drawn wide

Last start Group One winner Inspirational Girl has drawn barrier 18 for Saturday's Gr.1 Kingston Town Classic (1800m) at Ascot in Perth, but trainers Grant and Alana Williams are not too disheartened by the draw for the daughter of Reliable Man.

"Everyone says that the barrier is not going to help, but she runs from off the pace and I still think that she will be able to get two or three runners behind her at some stage and if that is the case she will be running on," Grant Williams said.

"I don't think it's the A-grade Kingston Town like in past years because of what we have gone through with COVID-19.

"We have got the best jockey on (William Pike) and yeah, we haven't got a great barrier draw, but she's in great nick and I thought she won the Railway (Gr.1, 1600m) with a bit in hand.

"I still think we have got a good chance."

The New Zealand bred five-year-old has won nine of 11 starts, with a further two placings and if not for some bad luck could be undefeated.

Karaka 2021 Yearling Inspection Tours  

New Zealand Bloodstock have organised a couple of parade schedules, to be conducted pre-Christmas for the Central Districts and South Island areas, inspecting yearlings destined for Karaka 2021.

Below are the schedules. For anyone wishing to attend, please contact Regan Donnison on 021 512 466 or email Regan.Donnison@nzb.co.nz
 

Central Districts:

South Island: