It was looking a bit grim for punters when the favourite Princess Jenni was in a zip-fastener pocket approaching the turn in Saturday's Group 1 Australasian Oaks (2000m) at Morphettville, but not for the first time Damien Oliver rescued the day when he darted the High Chaparral (IRE) filly through a narrow seam to win the feature a shade comfortably.
The David Brideoake-trained filly defeated Mirette (Unencumbered) by three-quarters of a length with House Of Cartier (Alamosa) a nose back in third.
Stable representative Alex Woodhams said he had a few concerns in the run.
"You put Ollie on and he produces something special most of the time," Woodhams told racing.com.
"It was a bit nerve-racking but the main thing is he got the job done. I knew if he got a bit of room that she is a good enough horse that she will always put in.
"Every time since her maiden win, she's always been sharp, always had a serious turn of foot and to overcome a bunch of problems in the run to sprint like that when the gap came was impressive."
Oliver was winning the race for the fourth time.
"She's a good filly and she's been in great form," Oliver said.
"I was able to utilise the good barrier.
"I got a little bit hemmed in coming to the turn but was able to follow some good horses through and she was too strong in the end.
"I went the percentage play to edge out and that wasn't really happening then looked back inside and saw Dwayne Dunn getting through and Mirette was kicking well so I ducked back and got through there."
It has been a happy ending for connections after Princess Jenni was withdrawn from the Adrian Knox Stakes in Sydney after stewards found a mark on her neck.
Purchased by owner Tony Ottobre for $120,000 from the Phoenix Park draft at the 2017 NZB Premier Yearling Sale, Princess Jenni advances her record to 4 wins and 1 second from 6 starts with earnings of $514,935.
She is the first foal of the 5-time winning Zabeel mare Glitzabeel whose granddam is the Group II Magic Night Stakes winner Precious Glitter who is a half-sister to the Group III Hawkesbury Gold Cup winner and multiple Group 1 placed Beauty Watch.
Glitzabeel's yearling filly by Tavistock was purchased by Mick Price for $30,000 at this year's Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. She has a filly foal by Power (GB) and was bred back to Turn Me Loose.
From the final crop by Coolmore Stud's late, great High Chaparral (IRE). Princess Jenni becomes his 23rdGroup 1 winner.
