Distance no worry for Jenstar in St Leger

Jockey Damien Oliver takes over on Jenstar in the time-honoured VRC St Leger at Flemington.

Less than a week after Princess Jenni stamped her credentials for a stakes race in Adelaide, the David Brideoake stable hopes to lift the time-honoured VRC St Leger at Flemington.

Owned in the same interests as Princess Jenni, Jenstar runs in Thursday’s 2800m Listed race for three-year-olds, a race that dates back to 1857 and precedes the Melbourne Cup.

Jenstar is coming off a last-start fifth in the Galilee Series Final at Caulfield on April 13 with Damien Oliver replacing Craig Newitt in the saddle.

Brideoake’s assistant trainer Alex Woodhams said Jenstar’s performance that day indicated she would have little trouble running Thursday’s trip.

Woodhams said the stable was surprised how the filly came through her Caulfield run, her third outing at 2425m or beyond.

“She’s poked around at home and as she’s had a few runs over a trip now it’s more about maintaining her and keeping her happy,” Woodhams said.

“She’s popped down the beach, done a quiet piece of work at home and is in good shape ready for the run.”

Woodhams said depending on Thursday’s performance, Jenstar was likely to press on to Adelaide for the Group Three SA Fillies Classic (2500m) at Morphettville on May 18.

“That’s been our target all the way along, but after she performed so well after a tough run the other day, we thought we’d give her a crack at the St Leger,” Woodhams said.

An extra two days between upcoming races will see Self Sense run in Thursday’s Williams Newton VC Handicap (2520m) rather than the VOBIS Gold Heath (2000m) at Caulfield on Saturday.

Woodhams said the trip suits and was the ideal lead-up for the Warrnambool Cup on May 2.

A winner of two country Cups before finishing fifth in the Chairman’s Quality at Randwick on April 6, Self Sense is being kept to a flat campaign after gaining a Caulfield Cup ballot exemption following his Mornington Cup success last month.

Woodhams said Self Sense had been put over some fences since his last run.

“We don’t have to do a great deal with him now that he’s fit,” Woodhams said.

“Clayton Douglas popped in and put him over a few fences ahead of this run just to keep him nice and bright and on the job.”