Ciaron Maher is confident that Pride Of Jenni is in peak condition following her impressive victory in last Saturday’s Group 2 Peter Young Stakes.
The Horse of the Year now has her sights set firmly on the $2.5 million Group 1 Australian Cup on March 29.
Pride Of Jenni, who finished second in last year’s Australian Cup behind Cascadian, is the $3.50 favourite with betting sites to claim the title this year.
“It was great to see her back and she seems to have come through it really well,” Maher said on Monday.
The mare’s first-up effort over 1400 metres was particularly encouraging, with Maher noting that she handled the race much better than in previous first-up runs.
Middle Earth, another recent recruit to Maher’s stable, is currently her closest rival at $4.80 in the betting.
Maher also confirmed that Pride Of Jenni is likely to continue her campaign in the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes on April 12.
In other stable news, Another Wil is set to race in the Group 1 Doncaster Mile on April 5.
