The Roger James trained Jessabeel made a real impression winning first up over 1400m at Matamata today.
Jessabeel – not to be confused with Zabeel’s Auckland and Melbourne Cup-winning daughter Jezabeel scored handsomely in the colours of Cambridge Stud’s Sir Patrick and Lady Justine Hogan.
They purchased the good-looking bay outright from co-breeders the Holmes family of Grande Vue Lodge and then offered her to James on the proviso he could find some racing partners.
“Patrick dropped in one day and mentioned he had this filly available for lease,” James recalled after today’s win. “As soon as I checked her out I said yes and then I signed up four of my longestserving and most loyal clients – Rod Baulcomb, Ron Dixon, Gerard Peterson and John Struthers.
“From what I just saw – and knowing there’s so much upside in her – I think we’re going to have some fun.”
