Trainer Lucy Yeomans reached a significant career milestone at Geelong on Saturday when Jenni The Fox charged home to claim the Listed Black Pearl Stakes (1200m), delivering Yeomans her first stakes victory since going out on her own.
The breakthrough success came just months after Yeomans launched her solo training operation, with the win following a well-timed decision by owner Tony Ottobre to bring the mare back into work after a short let-up.
Jenni The Fox had finished 12th in The Supernova in mid-December, but Ottobre felt she was ready to return, a call Yeomans said proved spot-on.
“That’s the great thing about training for Tony; he knows these horses so well,” Yeomans said. “I would think I know her better than anyone, but I think Tony might rival me for that.”
After previously training in partnership with Lloyd Kennewell, Yeomans began training in her own right at the start of the season and has now prepared four winners from just 17 runners — all owned by Ottobre.
“I can’t believe it. There are too many people to thank. Obviously Tony, and Elise, who’s my right-hand girl — she turned this horse out in immaculate condition today,” Yeomans said.
Yeomans admitted the win was the product of detailed preparation, along with plenty of self-imposed pressure.
“I’ve been riding all my own track work and absolutely cooking myself overthinking everything,” she said. “But I galloped this horse on Tuesday and she absolutely flew.
“My partner Blake (Shinn) was there clocking me and the tracker showed her recovery was better than ever.”
The Black Pearl victory has opened the door to a potential Queensland raid, with the Magic Millions Fillies and Mares Classic (1400m) on January 17 now under consideration.
“She was a very valuable mare before this, but she’s worth even more now,” Yeomans said. “We’re not going to force anything. We’ll let her get home, let the dust settle and, if she’s pulled up well, there’s a flight for her on Tuesday — but no pressure.”
Jenni The Fox’s win also capped a strong day for jockey Tom Stockdale, who completed a double on the Geelong card with an earlier victory aboard Darkbonee.