Where to next for Caulfield Cup winner Duke De Sessa and King Charles III Stakes runner-up Pride Of Jenni?

Caulfield Cup winner Duke De Sessa is headed to Flemington for his next start – but it won’t be in the Melbourne Cup – while it’s all systems go for Pride Of Jenni in Saturday’s Cox Plate.

Caulfield Cup winner Duke De Sessa’s most likely next start will be at Flemington – but it won’t be in the Melbourne Cup.

Duke De Sessa, now with a taste for success, will be set for the $3 million Group 1 Champion’s Stakes (2000m) at Flemington on Saturday, November 9.

The Ciaron Maher-trained stayer also has invitations to the Japan Cup and Hong Kong International Races – November 24 and December 8 respectively.

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Any decisions on travel must happen quickly with a looming inoculation deadline.

Duke De Sessa gleamed on Sunday’s at Maher’s Cranbourne stable after a recovery swim at the beach.

“He had a bit of R&R down there, he licked his (feed) bin, trotted up sound and very hungry,” Turnbull laughed.

“He’s taken a bit of a bite out of the trainer’s trophy!”

The gold-plated trainer’s trophy, now with a bent oval-shaped lip, is valued at $5000.

Caulfield Cup Winner Duke De Sessa has a taste of the trainer’s trophy with Ciaron Maher’s assistant, Jack Turnbull, at Cranbourne on Sunday. Picture: George Sal / Racing Photos

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Duke De Sessa capped a momentous Saturday for the powerhouse stable.

Bella Nipotina and Growing Empire finished first and third in The Everest in Sydney.

Pride Of Jenni ran second in the Group 1 King Charles III Stakes at Randwick, while Estriella secured a Group 2 sprint at Caulfield.

Pride Of Jenni remains on track to back-up on Saturday in the Cox Plate.

The superstar mare is resting up at Bong Bong, Maher’s southern NSW highlands property.

“We were delighted with her performance, she’s been beaten half a length in a $5m Group 1 and sets her up for potentially backing up into the Cox Plate,” Turnbull said.

“She’s healthy this morning, she ate up, which is obviously number one … she’ll have a few days rest there on the water walker and fill herself back up before she travels back down.

“We’ll chat to (owners) Tony and Lynn (Ottobre) and Ciaron will make that decision (Cox Plate), but she’s happy.”

Crunched!
“Lucky it’s only the trainer’s 🏆” @MelbRacingClub Caulfield Cup winner Duke De Sessa has pulled up a treat. Champions Stakes likely next option @FlemingtonVRC , that said, a couple of international offers on the table being considered. @[e-mail]/XdGwUPXIRm

— Gilbert Gardiner (@gilbertgardiner) October 19, 2024

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Maher’s other Caulfield Cup runners, Circle Of Fire (10th), Sayedaty Sadaty (16th) and Berkshire Breeze (18th), also trotted up sound.

Sydney Cup winner Circle Of Fire will proceed to the Melbourne Cup.

“He’s not a horse with a huge amount of change up speed, he needs to grind it out and be into the race,” Turnbull said.

“The way the race was run yesterday suited a horse like Duke, being behind the speed … Circle Of Fire just can’t quicken with them when he’s back in the ruck.

“If he draws a barrier, lands a bit closer, I’d say he finishes four or five lengths closer and we’re talking about how good the run was.

“I’ve got hope for the Melbourne Cup especially if he draws an alley over two mile.”

Sayedaty Sadaty is also entered for the Cup, but Berkshire Breeze will be spelled with an eye on next year.

“The time and strengthening and development will bring him on plenty and you’ll see a much more furnished horse next time,” Turnbull said.

Originally published as Where to next for Caulfield Cup winner Duke De Sessa and King Charles III Stakes runner-up Pride Of Jenni?