Star mare Pride Of Jenni will return to The Valley under lights on Friday night, chasing consecutive victories in the Group 2 Feehan Stakes but she will need to topple star mare Treasurethe Moment who has been installed as the $1.50 favourite with online bookies.
Ciaron Maher’s front-running eight-year-old hasn’t raced since May but pleased regular jockey Declan Bates in a sharp gallop at The Valley on Monday morning. “He said he felt she was pretty relaxed for the first half of the gallop and wanted to rip down the second, so he was pretty happy,” Maher reported.
Pride Of Jenni has experienced mixed fortunes across the past year. A three-time Group 1 winner, she claimed last year’s Feehan Stakes and added the Group 2 Peter Young Stakes in the autumn, though she also endured tough runs in the Cox Plate, Champions Mile, Australian Cup and Doomben Cup.
Despite her rollercoaster form, Maher is confident the mare still retains her zest for competition. “She’s a pretty easy read, she lets you know when she’s had enough. All the signs are pretty good, but I suppose, older mare, you always want to see it,” he said.
Pride Of Jenni has been given two jumpouts to prepare for her return and is building fitness towards a potential tilt at the Group 1 Empire Rose Stakes. “She’s improving with each gallop and jumpout. The first one she was a bit soft; her second trial she trialled a lot better. She’s come on nicely for that, Dec was pretty happy with her this morning. She’s heading in the right direction,” Maher added.
Punters eager to back Pride Of Jenni in the Feehan Stakes or upcoming spring features can compare the best odds via Australia’s top betting sites.