Star mare Pride Of Jenni has been withdrawn from Saturday’s $1.2 million Group 2 The Q22 after persistent rain left Eagle Farm rated a Heavy 9.
The weather has dealt a significant blow to Stradbroke Day, with racing fans denied what promised to be a fascinating clash between the champion mare and reigning Melbourne Cup winner Half Yours.
Eagle Farm received 9.5mm of rain overnight, taking the seven-day total beyond 50mm and forcing connections to abandon plans to run Pride Of Jenni.
Owner Tony Ottobre had indicated on Friday that the mare would not take her place if the track reached heavy conditions, and those concerns were confirmed on race morning.
“The horse comes first – pure and simple,” Ottobre told Racenet’s Ben Dorries via text message shortly before 7.30am.
The Ciaron Maher-trained mare was set to step beyond 2000 metres for the first time in her career in The Q22 after her brave runner-up effort in the Group 1 Doomben Cup.
Her withdrawal leaves Half Yours as the headline act in the weight-for-age feature and significantly alters the complexion of the race.
Despite the disappointment, Stradbroke Day still boasts a high-quality program headed by the $3 million Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap, along with the Group 1 J.J. Atkins and Group 2 Brisbane Cup.
With conditions expected to remain testing throughout the day, track conditions are likely to play a major role across Queensland’s biggest raceday of the year.
For the latest race-day markets and form updates, check out the leading betting apps australia ahead of Stradbroke Day.
