Genetic testing shows Cox Plate distance in sweet spot for All-Star Mile winner Pride Of Jenni

Genetic testing on racing sensation Pride Of Jenni reveals there should be no issues in setting her for a crack at the Cox Plate this year.

Genetic testing on Pride Of Jenni has given connections even more confidence about a Cox Plate mission later this year. Picture: Getty Images

A funky genetic test on the other side of the world has frontrunning freak Pride Of Jenni primed for a 2024 Cox Plate assault.

Racenet can reveal how vials of blood sent to Ireland, which analysed Pride Of Jenni’s DNA to establish the best distance at which the mare should race, have identified she is now likely to be best suited to races of 1800m-2220m.

If the tests, developed by Irish equine science group Plusvital, are proved correct then any distance doubts over the Cox Plate trip of 2040m should be dispelled.

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The two-time Group 1 winner, All-Star Mile champion and conqueror of Mr Brightside has only once raced over further than 1600m but connections now have extra confidence to take on the 2024 Cox Plate.

The genetic report has shown Pride Of Jenni to be in the “C:T Long” category – best suited to races between 1400m and 2200m but “recommended to target races of 1800-2200m as an older horse.”

Pride Of Jenni will be seven when she attacks the Cox Plate in October where she is currently rated as a $15 chance.

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“I commissioned a genealogy report on her and the genes don’t change, she can step out to 2200m,” Pride Of Jenni’s owner Tony Ottobre told Racenet.

“It’s a great general guide.

“There’s always internationals coming here for the Cox Plate, so it will be great to take them on.

“We wanted to go the Cox Plate last year if everything was going well, but things didn’t happen early enough for her.

“She just wasn’t quite ready for the step up in distance but she is now.”

Pride Of Jenni’s trainer Ciaron Maher with owner Tony Ottobre after the All-Star Mile triumph. Picture: Racing Photos via Getty Images

Genetic testing is used by many leading trainers including Melbourne Cup winner Danny O’Brien who used it on the likes of Russian Camelot and Vow And Declare.

AFL legend Denis Pagan swore by gene testing with his team of horses when he started training.

While the Group 1 Australian Cup over 2000m and a potential rematch with Mr Brightside could be looming, the bigger picture for Ottobre this year is now the Cox Plate.

“The Cox Plate is right up there with the Melbourne Cup in terms of great races and I would love to win it,” Ottobre said.

“For Pride Of Jenni to do what she has done so far is just extraordinary, you don’t see horses do what she has done very often.

“A lot of people feel like they have got a vested interest in her and they want to cheer for her and I really appreciate that.”

Originally published as Genetic testing shows Cox Plate distance in sweet spot for All-Star Mile winner Pride Of Jenni