Pride Of Jenni gives Schweida cause for concern

By Glenn Davis

The recently retired Antino gave Queensland locals a long overdue win in last year’s Group 2 Hollindale Stakes at the Gold Coast and now trainer Kelly Schweida hopes Miss Joelene can follow in his footsteps.

However, the popular Eagle Farm trainer fears interstate rival Pride Of Jenni could be a thorn in the mare’s attempt to win her third Weight for Age feature.

“She’s going well, but Pride Of Jenni is my worry as the way she races out in front upsets our racing pattern,” Schweida said.

“They’ll all be under the pump at some stage if Pride Of Jenni gets out and leads like she does and that’s a worry.

“It puts Miss Joelene out of her comfort zone as she likes to get back.”

Sydney jockey Tommy Berry will partner Miss Joelene.

The Hollindale Stakes has been a graveyard for Queensland gallopers over the years, but it has been a good guide for the upcoming Group 1 Doomben Cup.

“Depending on her performance, the Doomben Cup is her goal,” Schweida said.

Apart from the Tony Gollan-trained Antino, another Eagle Farm-based trainer, Chris Jordan holds the honour of training Queensland’s only other Hollindale Stakes champion with Fulmonti who was successful in 2009.

Schweida marvels at what Miss Joelene has achieved in her career which has spanned 37 starts for nine wins and 12 placings.

With career earnings of almost $1.6 million, Miss Joelene has a distinct liking for the Gold Coast track with one win and two placings from five starts.

Miss Joelene’s two Weight for Age wins were in last year’s The Wave when it was run at the Sunshine Coast and when it returned to the Gold Coast in January of this year.

She also was placed at the Gold Coast in the Magic Millions Trophy in January and finished a creditable fourth in last year’s Hollindale Stakes behind Antino.

Miss Joelene has had only two starts this campaign. 

She won first-up over 1350 metres at Doomben on April 11 before a last start fifth to the Gollan-trained Kronenbourg in the Listed Brisbane Handicap over 1600 metres.

Miss Joelene will join a select group of only five mares if successful in the Hollindale Stakes.

Kiwi raider Melora was the first to win for her sex in 1999, followed by Shez Sinsational (2012), Lights Of Heaven (2013), Streama (2014) and Oregon’s Day in 2018.

In the latest Hollindale Stakes markets, Miss Joelene is an $18 chance behind Chris Waller’s $3.40 favourite Birdman.