Pride Of Jenni seals 2025 Doomben Cup trip with Caulfield win
Pride Of Jenni proved her resilience with a gutsy victory in the $175,000 Listed Anniversary Vase (1600m) at Caulfield, securing a ticket to Queensland and putting her Group 1 Australian Cup flop behind her.
Carrying the top weight of 61kg, the Ciaron Maher-trained mare led throughout under Craig Newitt to defeat Scheelite and Pounding, bouncing back to her best after an uncharacteristic performance in the Australian Cup on March 29.
“It’s just a relief, really,” Newitt said following the win.
“We know how good she is on her day, obviously the Australian Cup deflated all of us, so it was just nice to see her show she was back to where we thought she had to be and to get a result is a good one.”
Pride Of Jenni, a $2.70 betting sites favourite, ran the mile in 1:35.62 on a Good 3 surface — a new class record time. Despite pressure from Regal Zeus mid-race, she found plenty in the run home and never looked in doubt.
“The speed I was going at the 1000-metre mark I reckon was the speed I was going on the winning post,” Newitt said.
“I never quickened any more but I never weakened. She just kept on going and her stamina really kicked in.”
Her performance cements her standing as a $4 second favourite for the Group 1 Doomben Cup (2000m), scheduled for May 24 at Doomben.
The win capped a stellar day for Maher, who celebrated a treble with earlier victories from Kaleo and Kalkallo.
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