Trainer Luke Oliver has confirmed that promising filly Jessy Belle will contest the 2014 Inglis Guineas at Scone on Saturday.
Jessy Belle will face the toughest test of her racing career to date in the 2014 Inglis Guineas this weekend. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia
Jessy Belle was included in the nominations for both the Inglis Guineas (1400m) and the Super Vobis Three-Years-Olds Fillies Handicap at Caulfield on Saturday, but Oliver told Racing Ahead this morning that the Rock Of Gibraltar will be given an opportunity against the predicted strong field in the $400,000 event this Saturday.
The three-year-old filly has performed well since returning to the races in April, finishing second behind The Quarterback in the Bert Bryant Handicap (1200m) at Caulfield on April 19 before finishing an unlucky second behind Griante in the Sportscover Insures VAFA Plate (1440m) at the same venue on May 3, and Oliver believes that her form is good enough to be competitive in the Inglis Guineas this weekend.
“She earned her chance at a race like this, every time that we step her up and step up her she always performs really well,” Oliver said.
“The whole prep has been planned around this race and she is in good form.”
Jessy Belle has not been included in the nominations for any of the feature races during the 2014 Brisbane Winter Racing Carnival, but Oliver revealed that he will bring the three-year-old to Queensland if she performs well this weekend.
“There is a couple of stakes races for three-year-olds up there over a mile, which if she runs well at Scone will be the plan for sure,” Oliver said.
The Inglis Guineas has drawn a strong group of nominations and Jersey Belle will have to be at her best to be competitive against the strong field.
Headlining the expected Inglis Guineas field is Gai Waterhouse-trained Cosmic Endeavour, who will prove very difficult to beat if she can replicate her 2014 Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival form in the restricted race this week.
Cosmic Endeavour was narrowly denied her maiden win at Group level in the Group 3 PJ Bell Stakes (1200m) at Royal Randwick on April 12 before taking out the Group 2 Sapphire Stakes (1200m) at the same venue on April 19 and finishing a close third in the Group 3 The Darley Crown (1300m) at Hawkesbury.
Chautauqua is also taking good form into the Inglis Guineas, after winning the Group 3 Hawkesbury Guineas (1600m) at his last start, while Twilight Royale will score a $2.4 million bonus for connections if she returns to winning from on Saturday.
