But Damian Lane was able to get the Lloyd Williams-owned stayer into clear air in the straight, albeit a little too late as Jye McNeil skipped clear on Princess Jenni.
“I was travelling so well before the turn that I nearly fell into the trap of improving too early but she was starting to peak a little bit on her run late,” McNeil said.
“The race was over by then and the way things went during the race, it was just perfect.”
It’s been an enjoyable week for McNeil, who last Wednesday won the Geelong Cup on Steel Prince and rode in his first Cox Plate aboard Grandslam.
Princess Jenni is likely to tackle the 2000-metre Matriarch Stakes against her own sex at her next start according to Brideoake.
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“We just didn’t get enough mile-and-a-half work into her [to pay up for the Melbourne Cup],” he said.
“There’s always next year.
“She’s just such a good horse and I knew she was in good shape, to lift like that. But the ride, the ride was outstanding.
“She’s such a good horse and, honestly, this preparation she hasn’t done anything wrong, she’s just had a series of gates and bits and pieces that didn’t allow us to get a result. But, today it is a good result.”
Pondus is more than likely going to the Queen Elizabeth Stakes over 2600 metres on the last day of the Cup carnival, while Zebrowski and Saracen Knight both had their chances to win but made no impression.
King Of Leogrance remains in 23rd spot in the Melbourne Cup order of entry and is effectively guaranteed a start in the race, while True Self in 24th sits in a vulnerable position with Saturday’s Lexus Hotham Stakes offering the winner a ticket into Tuesday’s 3200-metre classic.
Ashrun (29th), Platinum Invador (28th), Hush Writer (30th) and Schabau (40th) are among the runners set to compete in Saturday’s race.
Damien Ractliffe is the Chief Racing Reporter for The Age.
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