Pride Of Jenni primed for the 2025 King Charles III Stakes

It’s boom-or-bust with Pride Of Jenni, concedes Ciaron Maher, yet Victoria’s leading trainer is confident the crowd favourite can finally go back-to-back for the first time in nearly two seasons.

The veteran mare returns to Randwick for the first time in a year to chase Saturday’s $5 million Group 1 King Charles III Stakes (1609m).

Her spring began with a stylish win in the Group 2 Feehan Stakes (1600m) at Moonee Valley on September 26—evidence to Maher that she’s over a rough Queensland campaign and primed to lift again.

“I was a bit dubious first-up because she was a bit heavier than she’d ever been, but she ran just as good and she seems to be in that similar sort of spot,” Maher said.

“Things have to go right (with her) and Queensland wasn’t as smooth as what I would have liked.

“There’s no in-between, you’re either fighting out the finish or you are out the back. That’s how those style of horses are, there’s no there’s no in-between.

“But I do think she’s in a good order. She’s in a good spot.”

Pride Of Jenni last posted successive wins during her star-making 2023 Melbourne Cup Carnival, sweeping the Group 1 Empire Rose Stakes (1600m) and Group 1 Champions Mile (1600m).

She was later crowned Australia’s Champion Racehorse, headlined by her sensational Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) victory. Her only Sydney start since was a courageous second in last year’s King Charles III Stakes to Ceolwulf.

“Her run last year was fantastic and the time before was when she won the Queen Elizabeth. Her last two runs up there have been great,” he said.

Drawn barrier eight of 12 for this year’s edition, Pride Of Jenni faces a line-up including the defending champ Ceolwulf (four) as well as Fangirl (11) and Mr Brightside (12), the quinella from the previous year.

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