Ciaron Maher concedes it can now be rocks or diamonds with Pride Of Jenni, but Victoria’s leading trainer is optimistic the crowd favourite can make it back-to-back wins for the first time in almost two years.
The veteran mare returns to Sydney to the first time in 12 months to contest this Saturday’s $5 million Group 1 King Charles III Stakes (1609m) at Randwick.
The eight-year-old resumed with a win in the Group 2 Feehan Stakes (1600m) at Moonee Valley on September 26, which convinced to Maher she had recovered from her forgettable trip to Queensland earlier in the year and he is confident she can elevate again.
“I was a bit dubious first-up because she was a bit heavier than she’d ever been, but she ran just as good and she seems to be in that similar sort of spot,” Maher said.
“Things have to go right (with her) and Queensland wasn’t as smooth as what I would have liked.
“There’s no in-between, you’re either fighting out the finish or you are out the back. That’s how those style of horses are, there’s no there’s no in-between.
“But I do think she’s in a good order. She’s in a good spot.”
Pride Of Jenni is chasing back-to-back wins for the first time since she announced herself a star in the 2023 Melbourne Cup Carnival with Group 1 wins in the Empire Rose Stakes (1600m) and Champions Mile (1600m).
She was crowned Australia’s Champion Racehorse the following year, thanks largely to her jaw-dropping win in the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m), and her only start in Sydney since came in last year’s King Charles III Stakes when runner-up to Ceolwulf.
“Her run last year was fantastic and the time before was when she won the Queen Elizabeth. Her last two runs up there have been great,” he said.
Pride Of Jenni drew barrier eight of 12 in the King Charles III Stakes, which also features defending champion Ceolwulf (four) and the previous year’s quinella of Fangirl (11) and Mr Brightside (12).
