Pride Of Jenni gets All Star Mile call
The Group 1 find of last year’s Melbourne Cup Carnival has been given a ‘wildcard’ entry into the All-Star Mile, this year to be run at Caulfield.
Pride Of Jenni recorded successive wins at Group 1 level at Flemington last November, firstly taking out the Empire Rose Stakes (1600m) on Victoria Derby Day before returning a week later to defeat Mr Brightside and Alligator Blood in the Champions Mile (1600m) on the final day of Cup week.
The Ciaron Maher-trained mare has not raced since that performance and is expected to resume in either the Group 1 C F Orr Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield next Saturday, or in the Group 1 Futurity Stakes (1400m) at the same track two weeks later.
Pride Of Jenni will again be pitted against Mr Brightside in those races with both contests ‘Win and You’re In’ for the All-Star Mile (1600m) on March 16.
The Melbourne Racing Club and Racing Victoria has announced that if Mr Brightside or Pride Of Jenni wins either the C F Orr or Futurity Stakes, the runner-up will get the All-Star Mile wildcard entry, and if the pair quinella the races, the third-placed runner will gain the start.
Maher is chasing his first All-Star Mile success and is buoyant about Pride Of Jenni’s chances.
“Pride Of Jenni showed in the spring that she’s a high-class miler so we’re rapt that she’s secured her spot in this year’s All-Star Mile,” Maher said.
“We’ve only had a handful of runners in the All-Star Mile and haven’t had much luck, so we’re hoping she can prove hard to catch at Caulfield.
“She took down a lot of big names across the week at Flemington, horses that she’ll likely meet again in this race, so she’s got to be a great chance.
“She had a nice gallop at Sandown on Wednesday and seems to have come up really well, so we’re excited about her campaign.”
Pride of Jenni is co-owned Tony Ottobre and his wife Lynn, who name all their horses in memory of their late daughter, Jennifer, after she lost her battle with brain cancer in 2015.
More Racing News
Extragalactic's Flemington mission in McEwen Stakes
While many in the racing world will lament the closure of the old Moonee Valley track, trainer Trent Edmonds isn't lamenting the timing of its renovation.This Saturday marks the first Cox Plate meeting to be held away from 'The Valley', and Edmonds is set to be at Flemington with Extragalactic,...
Blind Raise's faith rewarded with Cox Plate start
Trent Busuttin is aware that if the primary goal was to secure a Group 1 victory, the more prudent strategy would be to send Blind Raise to Sydney for this Saturday's Spring Champion Stakes.Nevertheless, he also recognises that the type of opportunity that has arisen this year is not a...
Caulfield Cup fall victim Half Yours is back home and doing well
Good news has emerged regarding the riders involved in the Caulfield Cup, with the Victorian Jockeys Association reporting both have been discharged from hospital.Mark Zahra and Jye McNeil were transported to the Alfred Hospital after a dramatic fall during the Caulfield Cup on Saturday.The sequence of events saw Half Yours,...
Mr Brightside's Flemington Mile participation uncertain
The Lindsay Park training outfit, comprising Ben, Will, and J D Hayes, will hold off on confirming Mr Brightside's start at Flemington until the acceptance stage.Mr Brightside is expected to be nominated for the Group 2 Kia Ora Stud Mile (1600m) this Saturday, though Ben Hayes indicated he is only...
Warwoven's Cox Plate Prospects to be Decided by King's Ride
Melbourne's racing scene is abuzz as Sydney jockey Rachel King prepares to reunite with Warwoven for a crucial track gallop. This workout is designed to give the final go-ahead for the Bjorn Baker-trained colt's potential entry into the esteemed Cox Plate at Flemington.King, who celebrated a Caulfield Guineas victory aboard...
Infancy's The Invitation prospects while in foal
Dual stakes winner Infancy is eagerly awaiting a potential start in the $2 million The Invitation at Randwick, a race that could significantly boost her career accolades before she transitions to her role as a broodmare.The six-year-old mare has recently been served by the promising young sire Anamoe. Her trainer,...
Tempted claims The Everest crown in thrilling renewal
The tenth running of The Everest delivered a familiar outcome at the top but with a new champion crowned, as Tempted outdueled Ka Ying Rising before a record-breaking crowd of 52,110.For trainer Ciaron Maher, this victory represents his second success in The Everest, building on Bella Nipotina's triumph in 2024....
Autumn Glow's flawless Sydney spring culminates in King Charles triumph
Autumn Glow smoothly assumed the lead in the prestigious Group 1 $5 million King Charles III Stakes (1600m) as the field turned for home, just as Ceolwulf began to mount a challenge.Trainer Chris Waller reportedly turned to jockey Darren Beadman and inquired, "Are we in trouble?" Beadman's swift reply was,...
Gavin Bedggood celebrates biggest win as Kingswood triumphs in Caulfield Cup
Trainer Gavin Bedggood has achieved his career-defining success with Kingswood winning the Caulfield Cup.The Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) on Saturday was claimed by the UK-bred import Kingswood, marking Bedggood's most significant achievement, eclipsing his previous best in the 2024 Moir Stakes at Moonee Valley.Bedggood, who was a proficient jumps...
Apocalyptic finds her best form in the Silver Eagle
While it was a supporting event on The Everest undercard, Apocalyptic's triumphant return to the winner's circle on Saturday was a considerable achievement for trainer Michael Freedman and jockey Tommy Berry.The mare, a Group 1 victor of last year's Flight Stakes, had been underperforming in the autumn and her initial...