Jake Stephens is excited by the return of promising mare En Francais when she resumes at Murray Bridge on Saturday.
En Francais was ultra-impressive on debut at Gawler before being beaten as a short-priced favourite at her following two starts and Stephens said the daughter of Detox, a half-sister to his former star Alcopop, had furnished in her time away from the racetrack.
“It will be good to see her back,’’ Stephens said.
“We bought her back for spring but she wasn’t going to come up.
“She needed a long spell, and she has filled out and done really well,’’ he said.
Stephens said En Francais did some time with leading equestrian horsewoman Megan Jones before ramping up her race preparation and expects the mare to take plenty of benefit out of Saturday.
“I think she’ll run well,’’ Stephens said.
“The jump-out the other day she was cruising, but they all were, she’ll be better for whatever she does on Saturday,’’ he said.
Stephens also has an in-form Rapid Raiser engaged who was a winner over the mile at Murray Bridge before making very good ground behind Morty in the Provincial Super Series Final at Morphettville on Derby Day.
Stephens said getting out to 1800m would increase Rapid Raiser's chances, as well as reuniting with Lachie Neindorf who was in the saddle for three of his early wins.
“He was unlucky last start, he ended up a long way back and was flying late,’’ Stephens said.
“He loves Murray Bridge and Lachie also has a good record on the horse,’’ he said.
