Yeomans aims high at Cranbourne in 2025 The Meteorite
Trainer Lucy Yeomans is embracing a rare and exciting opportunity as she prepares Jenni The Fox for a shot at a $1 million slot race at Cranbourne this weekend.
Racing for slot holder Cape Schanck Racing, the mare will line up in The Meteorite (1200m) on Saturday wearing the distinctive Ottobre family silks worn by Pride Of Jenni.
Finding a suitable horse to carry the famous colours in the slot race proved a challenge, but Yeomans was thrilled to be selected to send Jenni The Fox to the starting gates.
Jenni The Fox is well into her campaign, having commenced the preparation with Alex Rae before joining Yeomans after she separated from her training partnership with Lloyd Kennewell.
“She’s deep into her prep, rock-hard fit, so we’ve just freshened her up,” Yeomans said.
“Tony Ottobre has the slot in The Meteorite and wanted one of his horses to take that place and he picked Fox and I think she will run a race.
“She will have to pull out a career best. She was very solid last start running third in a Group race.”
The mare has been competitive across multiple grades, including running well behind Treasurethe Moment at Caulfield earlier this season.
Her sole victory came in a Cranbourne maiden over 1300m.
Despite her long odds, Yeomans remains quietly optimistic.
“She’s not been straight-forward to freshen-up as she’s a big, gross horse, so it’s not as simple as backing right back off her,” she said.
“I’ve just given her a couple of gallops, kept it short and sharp.
“She can run a sectional, but we’re realistic it is a big ask of her, but she is very, very genuine and she goes to the races and does her absolute best.
“My ideal scenario is they go red-hot flat-out and she can travel in behind and they’re getting tired and she’s storming home late.”
Yeomans, who only began training independently in September, has already tallied two winners from eight runners and said having a starter on such a big day meant everything.
“Even having a runner is a fantastic opportunity that is not lost on me,” Yeomans said.
“She’s not one of the main chances, but she will run well and be competitive in a $1 million race.
“If she were to win it, it would be incredible.”
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