Trainer David Brideoake will not worry about what conditions are thrown at Princess Jenni as she attempts to close out her spring campaign with a Group One win.
Princess Jenni is one of the leading fancies for the Empire Rose Stakes at Flemington on Saturday with Brideoake saying the mare has had the perfect lead-up for Saturday’s 1600m-race.
Possible thunderstorms are forecast on Saturday along with between eight and 15mm of rain.
“We’ve got nice weather at the moment but I see the forecast isn’t great for Saturday,” Brideoake said.
“But she’s adaptable and can handle any ground really.”
Winner of the Australasian Oaks at Morphettville in the autumn, Princess Jenni has won four times on good ground while her record from two starts on soft tracks is a win and a placing.
Brideoake has given Princess Jenni a three-run preparation leading into her grand final.
She was successful under Damien Oliver in the Stocks Stakes at The Valley on September 27 before a luckless 12th in the Toorak Handicap at Caulfield on October 12.
“We didn’t have much luck the way it panned out last time and I’m just hoping for a bit more luck this time,” Brideoake said.
“She’s had three weeks between runs. She’s had a really nice time and I couldn’t be happier with what’s gone on for the week.
“She had a gallop on Tuesday, her main work, and it was as good as any of the work she ever does.
“It’s a solid enough test and we’re under no illusions how tough it is, but I’d say she’d be in it for a long way.”
Princess Jenni sits on the third line of betting for Saturday’s for fillies and mares which for the second year running does not have a three-year-old engaged.
Star New Zealand mare Melody Belle, successful at Group One level at her past three starts, heads the market at $3.50 ahead of Godolphin’s Pohutukawa at $7.