A large crowd turned out at Moonee Valley and roared themselves hoarse in the return victory of Pride Of Jenni.
In scenes reminiscent of last year’s Group 2 Feehan Stakes, a roar went up over the Moonee Valley track on Friday night when Pride Of Jenni began to extend her lead in the 1600m weight-for-age contest.
The crowd did not let up and when Treasurethe Moment threatened to make a race of it as the field made the home turn, the crowd lifted Pride Of Jenni to the winning post.
With Declan Bates back in the saddle, Pride Of Jenni ($3.60) scored a 1-¾ length victory from the $1.50 favourite Treasurethe Moment with Attrition ($21) a further 3-¾ lengths away third.
Ciaron Maher said he came to Moonee Valley with some trepidation as Pride Of Jenni made her racing return after a fading effort in Brisbane in the Group 1 Doomben Cup (2000m) in May.
Pride Of Jenni went into Friday night’s race with two jump-outs under the belt and some strong gallops but was fit for the 1600m trip.
“I was a little bit reserved, but she’s just an amazing horse,” Maher said.
“Dec Bates knows her so well and I was rapt to have him back on.
“Full credit to (owner) Tony (Ottobre) to have the courage to race her on. She’s 100 per cent sound and really enjoying her racing.
“I can’t thank him, my team and Dec enough.
“I remember standing here last year when Jenni raced Mr Brightside, the crowd starting roaring 1000 metres from home.
“There’s no better feeling.”
Bates had been the regular rider of Pride Of Jenni before being replaced after last year’s Cox Plate (2040m) when the mare finished a fading eighth.
Craig Newitt took over in the saddle and partnered Pride Of Jenni to two victories at Caulfield, but Bates has a special affinity with the mare.
Bates said in previous rides aboard Pride Of Jenni at Moonee Valley he had never been aware of the noise from the crowd.
“I think this is the first time I’ve ever actually heard the crowd because normally it’s just me and her, and all I can hear is her,” Bates said.
“But the crowd at The Valley here tonight, they must have gave some roar because I could hear them at to 600 (metres).
“She didn’t begin actually the best, but I didn’t bustle her and when Mark (Zahra) was a neck in front early, she didn’t want to race him.
“I knew I was going to get to the front before too long, so I just steadily got there, and once we hit the bend, she sort of grabbed the bit down that top side and then certainly from the 1000 (metres), I said right I was going to go, and she wasn’t for catching.”
