Maurice Filly Jenni Contessa Targets Fillies Classic at Morphettville

Mark Smith - Tuesday April 11

The Group III SAJC Fillies Classic (2500m) at Morphettville on May 20 has been pencilled in for Jenni Contessa after the daughter Maurice (JPN) showed that staying is her game when breaking her maiden over 2400m at Bendigo on Tuesday.

See ya later! Jenni Contessa opens up (image Brett Holburt/Racing Photos)

Ridden by Declan Bates for Archie Alexander, Jenni Contessa strolled home by five lengths in defeating Sweet Bella (Helmet), with a further two lengths back to Ngorongoro (Smart Missile) in third

Jenni Contessa broke her maiden at start six, carrying the colours of Tony Ottobre’s Cape Schanck Racing.

Advertisement

Stable representative Danielle Laidley revealed ambitious plans for the Maurice (JPN) filly.

“It was a ten out of ten ride by Dec. Archie said to use the gate to our advantage, but Dec was keen to take a sit,”  Laidley said.

“He ended up three pairs back on the fence but managed to weave his way out and found space when needed. 

“She looked the winner 600m out. She was travelling that strongly.

“She will head to South Australia for the Fillies Classic over 2500m.

$45,000 well spent for popular owner Tony Ottobre (image Brett Holburt/Racing Photos)

The 3yo daughter of Maurice (JPN) was a $45,000 purchase for Ottobre from the Arrowfield Stud draft at the 2021 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale Highway Session.

She is the second winner of the winning Redoute’s Choice mare Perfect Tempo.

A half-sister to triple Listed stakes-winner Little Surfer Girl (Encosta De Lago), Perfect Tempo is out of the Group 1 VRC Oaks, Group 1 MRC Thousand Guineas, and Group 1 Arrowfield Stud Stakes winner Special Harmony (Spinning World).

Jenni Contessa a $45,000 Inglis Classic yearling

Arrowfield Stud sold Perfect Tempo for $5,500 to Pat Equine at the 2021 Inglis June (Late) Online Sale. She has a weanling colt by Brutal and was covered by Written By last spring. 

Arrowfield shuttler Maurice (JPN) has been firing on all cylinders of late. He had four winners on Monday, including two at Warwick Farm (Namesake & Ausbred Flirt) and one at Sandown (Aiming).

In Japan on Sunday, the Maurice (JPN) filly Perifania (JPN) clocked in third behind Yankee Rose’s daughter Liberty Island in the Group 1 The Oka Sho at Hanshin. 

Advertisment

Race Result - Workforce Extensions Mdn Plate 2400m

Bendigo Track: Good(4) Time: 2:32.59
1
Jenni Contessa
- 3f Maurice (JPN) x Perfect Tempo (AUS) (Redoute's Choice (AUS))
Tnr: Archie Alexander Rdr: Declan Bates 57
2
5.0
Sweet Bella
- 4m Helmet (AUS) x Sweet Miss Ruby (AUS) (Rubiton (AUS))
Tnr: C J Davis Rdr: D W Stackhouse 57.5
3
7.0
Ngorongoro
- 3f Smart Missile (AUS) x Flametree Of Thika (NZ) (Zabeel (NZ))
Tnr: P G Carey Rdr: Celine Gaudray 57
MM Perth Winter Yearling Sale $0
Seller: Wyadup Valley Farms, Wilyabrup, WA
Buyer: Psd $37500 Res $40000
4
7.1
Lord Pierro
- 5g Pierro (AUS) x Seagrove (AUS) (Exceed And Excel (AUS))
Tnr: P A Preusker Rdr: D Yendall 59.5
5
7.3
Dunwoody
- 3g Preferment (NZ) x Queen Ouija (AUS) (Street Cry (IRE))
Tnr: Matthew Cumani Rdr: Lachlan King 59
6
7.6
Wambeen
- 3g Wandjina (AUS) x Issey (AUS) (Encosta De Lago (AUS))
Tnr: T J Andrews Rdr: R Mc Leod 59
7
8.3
Cracker Dance
- 4m Crackerjack King (IRE) x Releve (AUS) (Wanted (AUS))
Tnr: M Price & M Kent Jnr Rdr: Patrick Moloney 57.5
8
10.3
Steel Gaze
- 3g Pierro (AUS) x Gaze (NZ) (Cape Cross (IRE))
Tnr: Matthew Cumani Rdr: John Allen 59
9
10.4
A Waler
- 6g Warhorse (NZ) x Reset Rosie (NZ) (Reset (AUS))
Tnr: J W Bridgman Rdr: B Higgins 59.5
10
10.9
Shameless Image
- 4m Shamus Award (AUS) x Goldie's Image (AUS) (Ready's Image (USA))
Tnr: Clint Marshall Rdr: Harry Grace 57.5
11
50.9
Saiph
- 4g Wayed Zain (AUS) x Tempest Belle (AUS) (Hussonet (USA))
Tnr: E Fouchard & R Foster Rdr: Tahlia Hope 59.5
More Reading...
Inglis Quinella in $3million Sunlight Slot Race
Exciting colt Grafterburners (Graff) emerged as a potential superstar with a slashing victory in $3m Magic Millions Sunlight (1100m) at the Gold Coast on Saturday night.
Ammirati Wins Listed Gingernuts - Full Brother in K1
An unusual plan paid big dividends for the connections of Ammirati when the big gelding confirmed New Zealand Derby plans with a dominant victory in the Listed Trackside Gingernuts Salver (2100m) at Ellerslie on Sunday.
G1 Potential for $3million Sunlight Winner Grafterburners
Group 1 targets await emerging sprinter Grafterburners after a brilliant win in Saturday night’s $3 million TAB Magic Millions Sunlight (1100m) at the Gold Coast.
$20,000 Yearling Yellow Brick Becomes $3.5million Earner!
A new chapter in the Yellow Brick fairytale was written at the Gold Coast on Saturday night when Tony and Maddy Sears’ pin-up galloper showed his trademark heart to win the $1.5 million Racing Queensland Magic Millions QTIS Open (1300m).
Sires With Winners - Sunday January 11
Here is the full list of 56 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Winning Debut for Expensive Almanzor - Karaka Million Next
The highest priced yearling by Cambridge Stud's in form sire Almanzor (Fr) sold in 2025, Stromlinien made a winning debut on Sunday and has a half-brother to be offered at Karaka Book 1.
Veteran Speedster Acromantula Back to Best - Half-Brother Perth MM
Veteran sprinter Acromantula turned back the clock with a display of low level flying to record an unexpected victory in the Listed Miss Andretti Stakes at Ascot.
Sires With Winners - Saturday January 10
Here is the full list of 79 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Vinery Magic Draft a One Stop Shop
A proven nursery of G1 winning juveniles and also home to one of the hottest young sires in the country in Ole Kirk, Vinery Stud will present a draft at Magic Millions that is a one stop shop for stallion syndicates, racehorse syndicators and everyone in between.
Blue Flame Lights Up Magic Millions Off the Track Cup
With $100,000 in prizemoney on the line, the Queensland Off-The-Track Cup Final at the Magic Millions Showjumping and Polo Spectacular on Sunday delivered a brilliant display of retrained Thoroughbreds stepping into exciting second careers beyond racing.