Trainer Ciaron Maher says he is excited to see former Horse of the Year Pride Of Jenni back at the races.
Pride Of Jenni makes her reappearance in the Group 2 Peter Young Stakes (1800m) at Caulfield on Saturday, just over four months after suffering a bleeding attack.
Retirement had been announced for Pride Of Jenni after she finished last in the Group 1 Champions Mile (1600m) at Flemington in November which came at the end of a hectic spring.
Pride Of Jenni won the Group 2 Feehan Stakes (1600m) at Moonee Valley, went to Sydney to finish second in the Group 1 King Charles III Stakes (1600m) at Randwick before backing up a week later, beating one home behind Via Sistina in the Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley.
Now a seven-year-old, Pride Of Jenni is stepping into unchartered waters since joining the Ciaron Maher and David Eustace team stable at the start of her 2022 campaign.
Pride Of Jenni has yet to win in eight first-up appearances, but in all those outings she has not raced beyond 1400m fresh, but Maher said all the signs have been positive as the mare embarks on her first try at 1800m when fresh.
“She’s coming off a lighter prep than normal and she trialled as well as she has previously since she’s been in my care,” Maher said.
“She’s never won before at 1400 (metres), so we’ve taken a different tact with her this time going to 1800 (metres).
“It is probably a rung below what she has been competing against, so there is probably a bit of a trade-off there.”
In her last two preparations fresh, Pride Of Jenni has finished second to Mr Brightside in the Group 1 CF Orr Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield last year and fifth to Pinstriped in the Group 1 Memsie Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield last August.
Maher said as Pride Of Jenni has aged, she has got ‘kinder’ with her manners which he said will take her a long way on Saturday.
“Every prep she has got a little bit kinder in her manners,” Maher said.
“This prep has been no different and she was very kind in her trial. Her gallops have been pretty cruisy and it’s not like she was a couple of years ago.
“It’s exciting to have her back. She’s a cool horse and she wears her heart on her sleeve.”
Where Pride Of Jenni next heads will not be announced until after Pride Of Jenni run on Saturday.
The Group 1 Australian Cup (2000m) at Flemington on March 29 is a possibility as is an assault on the Sydney Autumn Carnival.
“One step at a time,” Maher said.
Pride Of Jenni is the $2.50 second elect in betting before the Godolphin mare Zardozi at $2.20.
