Dominant display by Pride Of Jenni echoes past glory at Gold Coast
With a bold frontrunning performance reminiscent of her electrifying 2024 Queen Elizabeth Stakes effort, Pride Of Jenni has left her Hollindale Stakes competitors trailing to claim another exceptional success.
The mare was in peak free-wheeling mode for Saturday's Gold Coast showcase, building an approximate 16-length buffer as the 800m approached and resisting the late surge from those behind.
Late-finishing Birdman ($4.20) narrowed the margin to three-quarters of a length on Pride Of Jenni ($3.30 fav) by the finish, as She's A Hustler ($4.60) trailed by an additional 2-1/4 lengths for third.
Melbourne Cup champion Half Yours ($3.80) produced his strongest finish late to take fourth spot, emerging with credit intact.
Trainer Ciaron Maher, who prepared the winner, was impressed by Pride Of Jenni and explained his choice to rest her after a fifth in last month's Queen Of The Turf Stakes (1600m) at Randwick, subsequent to strong Melbourne seconds in the All-Star Mile (1600m) and Australian Cup (2000m).
"I was mindful she had three very tough runs and given how well she went first-up, the only thing you can do is over-train her," Maher said.
"We've just kept her fresh and when she stepped well, you know pretty quick whether you're on. I thought, oh, that was nice, we might be on today.
"The track - you'd think the Gold Coast would play to her strengths - and it certainly did."
Maher highlighted the smart handling by regular rider Declan Bates, who set the eight-year-old mare into an effective leading rhythm and gauged her efforts precisely.
"She is sprinting flat out from the 1000. She is used to doing that, being off the bridle a long way out, but super from 'Dec' (Bates)," Maher said.
"She is just a marvel. Have a look at her, she is just a beautiful mare, and she's got a great constitution."
Pride Of Jenni's sole previous Queensland outing came last winter, where she was well beaten in the Doomben Cup (2000m).
Maher stated the Group 1 contest is back in their plans, with expectations of a superior performance this time.
"She looks in better form this year," he said.
Recent history shows the Hollindale Stakes (1800m) as a solid form line for the Doomben Cup, with Antino winning both 12 months prior and Zaaki in 2021.
Visit leading online bookmakers to find racing betting markets for the Hollindale Stakes and upcoming targets.
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