Chris Waller has run into Pride Of Jenni enough times to know that taking on the front-running mare will bring most horses undone, and leaving her to her own devices will play into her hands.
Finding a happy medium is something not even the champion trainer can attest to having conquered, but he is hoping one of his three Doomben Cup (2000m) runners can strike that sweet spot on Saturday.
Waller will saddle up Birdman, Asterix and Kovalica in the Group 1 race, Birdman getting closest to running down the Ciaron Maher-trained mare in the Hollindale Stakes (1800m) last start when he finished second, beaten three-quarters of a length.
“Trying to take on Pride Of Jenni… you’ve got to find the happy medium to make sure you’re in a winning position, but at the same time still have something left to give at the finish,” Waller said.
“How do I approach it? I just fully respect Pride Of Jenni. She is a good horse.
“I’d say there will be a couple of horses who can be right there and not far away. It will be interesting to see what Half Yours does. He’s a Caulfield and Melbourne Cup winner and I’m sure they’d love to challenge her and be a bit closer this time. Grahame Begg’s horse (She’s A Hustler) is drawn to get a nice run.
“If we all ride our horses that touch closer, without taking Pride Of Jenni on but staying in contact with her, it gives every horse a chance. But if we let Pride Of Jenni get five (lengths) in front, they won’t beat her.”
Pride Of Jenni has firmed into $3.20 favouritism for the Doomben Cup, ahead of Half Yours at $3.60 and Birdman at $4.
Asterix, who has won both his starts from a spell, is a $14 chance while Kovalica is the outsider of the small field at $26.
Birdman is chasing his first win at the elite level and Waller is keen to see the track continue to improve to give the five-year-old his best chance.
The surface was rated heavy earlier in the week but had reached a soft 7 by Friday.
“Birdman needs the track to dry out a bit. I’d love it to get to a soft six or better because he’s more effective on a good track, but his form is great,” he said.
“Asterix is racing, I wouldn’t say in career best form, but close to it. He’s racing with confidence, and he will appreciate a strong 2000.
“Kovalica has run third in the race twice, and he ran okay in the Hollindale. He won the Q22 last year and he’s on track for that again.”
