Jazz Me Baby’s managing part-owner Greg Browne and trainer Justine Erkelens can win a third Oaks in as many years when their lightly-raced Gingerbread Man filly lines up in the LR Belmont Oaks (2000m) on July 4.
Jazz Me Baby entered calculations for the late-season classic with a very impressive victory in the Quayclean Hcp (1700m) on Wednesday. Still at the tail of the field well into the straight, she picked up the bridle for Troy Turner and launched late to win running away from Wild Things (Playing God) and Bella Violetta (Maschino).
Browne and Erkelens won the 2024 WA Oaks with the Own The Queen (Awesome Rock) and the 2025 WA Oaks with Machine Gun Gracie (Maschino).
Jazz Me Baby is a younger half-sister to LR Scenic Blast Stakes (1100m) winner Jaz Session (Sessions), however, Erkelens sensed she was no short-course star in the making at the 2024 Perth Winter Yearling Sale.
“She was tall and didn’t look like a sprinter,” Erkelens recalled. “She kept growing and still doesn’t have much of an idea. I was happy to stretch her out to 1700m today and the Belmont Oaks has always been in the back of my mind.”
Jazz Me Baby (3f Gingerbread Man – Jaz Me Up by War Chant) was bred and sold by Greenfields Lodge owner Tony Patrrizi for $30,000. He has been breeding from the family since purchasing third dam Entrant (Royal Academy) for $70,000 at the 2006 Inglis Australian Broodmare Sale.
Erkelens gave Jazz Me Baby plenty of time although she is still maturing mentally. She flew home from last of 13 on debut at Ascot in December when finishing close up behind London’s Rascal (Gingerbread Man) on Platinum Stakes Day.
Back after a five-month spell in May, she made progress while stepping up in maidens at Pinjarra (1200m) and Belmont (1400m) before stretching to 1700m in the Quayclean Hcp
Yarradale Stud sire Gingerbread Man has a 66% winning strike-rate over mares by War Chant (USA) and he sired another potential classic candidate a day later when Bob The Baker won the Swan Draught Maiden (1675m) at Bunbury.
Bob The Baker (2g Gingerbread Man – Roberta by Stratum) is trained by Darren McAuliffe and settled perfectly for Holly Nottle in the south-west on Thursday. He also had the stamina to run right through the line at his first attempt over a mile for an Impressive Racing syndicate.
“He’s got a good motor and a good mind,” McAuliffe said. “He has been working well at home and relaxed for Holly today. I think he can make a WA Derby horse next year.”
Bob The Baker was bred and sold by J Farms owner Janey Napoli for $37,500 at the 2025 Perth Magic Millions. He’s from Neville Parnham’s Northam winner Roberta who foaled a Rommel filly last October.
Yarradale completed another successful week when its Magic Millions graduate Dont Wait For Luck (Niccconi) won the Blue Spec Drilling Hcp (1300m) in Kalgoolrie on Sunday. It was his third win in the Goldfields this season with career earnings over $180,000 for Peter and Karen Fernie.
Dont Wait For Luck is from Sandown Lakeside winner Sentfromthestars (Northern Meteor) and Yarradale (as agent) sold him for $60,000 on behalf of breeder Ellie Giles at 2022 Magic Millions Perth Winter Yearling Sale.