Pride Of Jenni ready for another Mr Brightside showdown in All-Star Mile at Caulfield
A five-week gap between runs won’t be an issue for Pride Of Jenni in the exciting mare’s latest clash with Mr Brightside in Saturday’s rich All-Star Mile at Caulfield.
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A gap between runs won’t lead to Pride Of Jenni’s rivals having any respite in Saturday’s All-Star Mile at Caulfield.
Pride Of Jenni’s high-pressure frontrunning racing style has scared off a couple of possible contenders while presenting a tough opponent for the odds-on favourite Mr Brightside.
Mr Brightside had to pull out everything to get past Pride Of Jenni when the pair last clashed in the Group 1 CF Orr Stakes while the latter prevailed in the Group 1 Champions Mile at Flemington in the spring.
The Ciaron Maher-trained Pride Of Jenni had the better of Tuesday’s barrier draw, getting barrier six while Mr Brightside drew barrier 11.
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Mr Brightside has had an extra run in his autumn campaign while Pride Of Jenni will go into the All-Star Mile with a five-week gap since her last run.
Maher’s assistant trainer Jack Turnbull said Pride Of Jenni has had plenty of work in that five-week period, including a Cranbourne jumpout win on March 4.
“She had a nice gallop on Monday and off the back of her most recent jumpout, she’s very fit,” Turnbull said.
“She’s gone a few weeks between runs on purpose so, physically, we couldn’t be happier and her demeanour’s right where we want it.
“We go in with an air of confidence.
“We’ve kept the work up to her in between so we’re pretty confident she’s going to run a bold race.”
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Turnbull said Pride Of Jenni did a lot wrong in her younger days before emerging as one of Australia’s best 1600m gallopers with two outstanding Group 1 wins during last year’s Melbourne Cup Carnival.
He said Pride Of Jenni’s CF Orr Stakes second indicated the six-year-old could improve further in her autumn campaign.
“She ran a career-peak when she just got beaten first-up over 14 (00m) so we know she’s going very well,”
“She was very aggressive 12 or 18 months ago but as she’s getting older and getting more exposed, she’s furnishing mentally and physically.
“Now she actually comes back to her rider, takes a breath, gets into a rhythm and she can work off that.
“She’s very good at what does because she can hold good sectionals.
“Average horses just can’t maintain that.”
Regular Declan Bates will be aboard Pride Of Jenni in the All-Star Mile.
Originally published as Pride Of Jenni ready for another Mr Brightside showdown in All-Star Mile at Caulfield
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