Strong Caulfield hitout positions Pride Of Jenni for Australian Cup challenge
Trainer Ciaron Maher moved a select bunch of his string from Cranbourne to Caulfield for trackwork early Tuesday.
Evergreen mare Pride Of Jenni formed part of that group, ramping up for her engagement a fortnight from now on Saturday.
Maher pointed to the Group 1 Australian Cup (2000m) over 2000m at Flemington as the favoured next port of call for Pride Of Jenni, though the Group 1 Queen Of The Turf Stakes (1600m) at Randwick in a month's time remains an option.
The mare launched her autumn return by placing third to Tom Kitten in the All-Star Mile (1600m) held at Flemington March 7.
According to Maher, Pride Of Jenni derived the anticipated benefits from her comeback and breezed powerfully solo at Caulfield.
"Dec (Declan Bates) said she was wanting to pull him in half early in the gallop, so that's always good to see," Maher said.
"She had a nice blow after her first-up run where she ran pretty quick time, fresh up, so she will take natural improvement and she wasn't here (this morning) to bring her on or anything, it was just a tick over gallop.
"I'm quite happy with how she came through her first-up run. Her weight is good, her action is good and she just had an easy time this morning.
"The Australian Cup or the Queen Of The Turf, is next, but at this stage the Australian Cup.
"You would think Flemington is more chance of being drier than Sydney, but the main thing is she came through it well and we'll track towards the Australian Cup."
Middle Earth and newcomer from the UK King Of The Sea also joined Pride Of Jenni on the trip.
Middle Earth prepares for an extended autumn into winter targets up north in Queensland prior to a spring Cups assault in Melbourne, as King Of The Sea settles into Australian racing after arriving at Maher's base this year.
Find competitive racing odds on the Australian Cup via top online bookmakers.
More Racing News
Angel Capital ride goes to Jye McNeil for William Reid Stakes
The top job on Angel Capital in Caulfield's last Group 1 of the Melbourne Autumn Carnival has gone to Jye McNeil.On Tuesday morning, McNeil visited Caulfield to breeze Angel Capital in preparation for Saturday's William Reid Stakes (1200m).Due to ongoing track works at Moonee Valley, Caulfield steps in to stage...
Darby Munro Stakes the plan for Hidden Motive
Nathan Doyle, the trainer, acknowledges slim prospects of holding onto his Group 1 The Galaxy (1100m) success, since Hidden Motive ranks 26th among entrants.Victorious last year via Private Harry in that race, Hidden Motive as an 88-rated contender would depend on numerous scratches to squeeze into the 14-runner limit with...
Waller ups Autumn Boy to mile and half for Rosehill Guineas Cox Plate trial
To gauge Autumn Boy’s prospects as a Cox Plate contender come spring, Chris Waller is stretching the colt to 2000 metres for the debut time in the Rosehill Guineas.Saturday’s Golden Slipper meeting featured consideration of the George Ryder Stakes (1500m) for the youngster, yet despite the conflict with unblemished barnmate...
Danny O'Brien seeks Grand Slam completion via Closer To Free in Golden Slipper
When Closer To Free lines up in this Saturday's Golden Slipper, Danny O'Brien will pursue induction into a distinguished circle.Securing the $5 million Group 1 at Rosehill would enable the Victorian trainer to notch the full Grand Slam of Australian thoroughbred racing.Only Chris Waller, among trainers active in Australia, has...
Jimmysstar set to shine at Caulfield in William Reid
The Ciaron Maher barn isn't upset that the William Reid Stakes has shifted from Moonee Valley, as Jimmysstar likely would have targeted it regardless at his preferred venue.Caulfield hosts the $1 million Group 1 sprint on Saturday due to renovations sidelining The Valley.At Caulfield, Jimmysstar has raced six times, triumphing...
Weight allocation to pick Jedibeel's jockey in The Galaxy
Trainer Brad Widdup keeps two potential jockeys waiting to team up with Jedibeel for Saturday's Group 1 The Galaxy, hinging on the sprinter's handicap weight.Handicaps for Rosehill's 1100-metre showcase will drop Tuesday, allowing Widdup to select the rider once Jedibeel's burden is set."Depending on the weight, we've got Tommy (Berry)...
Caulfield trial for Treasurethe moment sets stage for Sunline Stakes
Matt Laurie, the trainer, made use of an exhibition canter at Caulfield to ready Treasurethe Moment for her next engagement.The multiple Group 1 champion is set for the Group 2 Sunline Stakes (1600m) on Saturday as her most likely next appearance, with the Group 1 George Ryder Stakes (1500m) also...
Baker anxious over barrier positions for Golden Slipper runners
The two Golden Slipper prospects under Bjorn Baker's care are taking divergent roads to the $5 million spectacle, Paradoxium lined up for an intense workout Tuesday and Warwoven set for a gentle recovery period.Warwoven earned his berth in the juvenile feature through a dominant success in the Pago Pago Stakes...
Birchley's two-year-old run persists with Swift Dragon in QTIS Jewel 2YO
Despite long odds of $19 in the wagering, Swift Dragon demolished his rivals with a strong win ahead of favourite Esperanza, leaving the prior undefeated Rockhampton contender Better Blitzem to fill third spot.Birchley marked his third victor from the Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) this season when Dream Roca dominated the...
Tough Ajax Stakes victory secures Cristal Clear's Doncaster Mile ticket
Braith Nock, the standout apprentice, notched the standout result yet in his developing career by steering Cristal Clear to victory in the Group 2 Ajax Stakes.Rob Archibald, the trainer, revealed Cristal Clear's next target is the Doncaster Mile, scheduled for the renowned Royal Randwick mile distance on April 4 as...