Jenni back to brilliant best at the Gold Coast

By Mandy Cottell 

In a frontrunning display that revived memories of her breathtaking 2024 Queen Elizabeth Stakes performance, Pride Of Jenni has run her Hollindale Stakes rivals off their legs to land another phenomenal win.

The mare was at her free-bowling best in Saturday’s Gold Coast feature, spearing to an estimated 16-length lead approaching the 800m and defying the backmarkers to chase her down.

Birdman ($4.20) emerged from the pack late to get within three-quarters of a length of Pride Of Jenni ($3.30 fav) on the post, with She’s A Hustler ($4.60) another 2-1/4 lengths away third.

Melbourne Cup winner Half Yours ($3.80) was doing his best work late for fourth and lost nothing in defeat.

Winning trainer Ciaron Maher was in awe of Pride Of Jenni and said he’d decided to freshen her up after she finished fifth in the Queen Of The Turf Stakes (1600m) at Randwick last month, an effort that followed a brace of Melbourne placings 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 suit her style - and it certainly did.”

Maher also praised the judgement of her regular jockey Declan Bates, who got the eight-year-old in a good frontrunning rhythm and calculated her energy reserves to perfection.

“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 raced once in Queensland last winter and finished down the track in the Doomben Cup (2000m).

Maher confirmed the Group 1 race was again on their radar, and he expected it to be a different kettle of fish this time around.

“She looks in better form this year,” he said.

The Hollindale Stakes (1800m) has been a strong pointer to the Doomben Cup in recent years with Antino claiming the double 12 months ago, while Zaaki captured both races in 2021.