Jenni the Pride of Moonee Valley in 2025 Feehan Stakes
Pride Of Jenni made her presence felt in spectacular fashion at Moonee Valley, surging to a dominant win in the Group 2 Feehan Stakes and igniting the Valley crowd in scenes that echoed her famous front-running exploits of last year.
With Declan Bates back in the saddle, the mare ($3.60) never looked likely to be run down, holding off Treasurethe Moment ($1.50 fav) by 1-¾ lengths, with Attrition ($21) a distant third. The crowd roared her home, reminiscent of the night she clashed with Mr Brightside at the same track 12 months earlier.
Trainer Ciaron Maher admitted to some nerves, recalling her fading effort in the Group 1 Doomben Cup, but praised both rider and owner Tony Ottobre. “She’s sound, happy and enjoying her racing — I can’t thank the team enough,” Maher said. “Dec knows her better than anyone and it was the perfect ride.”
Bates relished the moment of redemption after losing the ride last spring. “Normally all I hear is her, but tonight I could actually hear the crowd from the 600m — it was electric,” he said. “Once she grabbed the bit from the 1000m, I knew she wouldn’t be caught.”
The victory confirmed Pride Of Jenni remains one of the most exciting front-running mares in training as she builds towards another Group 1 campaign this spring.
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