Jockey Declan Bates says Pride Of Jenni deserves respect first-up in the CF Orr Stakes at Caulfield

Jockey Declan Bates is open minded about tactics on Pride Of Jenni in the Group 1 CF Orr Stakes on Saturday at Caulfield.

Pride of Jenni ridden by Declan Bates in full flight winning the Champions Mile at Flemington. Picture: Michael Klein

Pride Of Jenni is poised “to run a big race” in the $750,000 Group 1 CF Orr Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield but daring catch-me-if-you-can tactics could be saved for another day.

The top class mare made history last spring as the first horse in 24 years to claim two Group 1s during Melbourne Cup week at Flemington in brilliant all-the-way style under jockey Declan Bates.

The Empire Rose Stakes and Champions Mile winner is $6.50 with TAB to win her third Group 1 in as many starts.

Four-time Group 1 and All-Star Mile winner Mr Brightside is the dominant $1.95 favourite, with Veight ($5) and Pericles ($8) also fancied on Herald Sun Family Day at Caulfield.

With freewheeling Buffalo River, a despised $51 outsider, expected to set the early pace from barrier one, Bates is happy to go into the race with an “open mind”.

“We know what works with her but in saying that, she’s first-up,” Bates said.

Pride Of Jenni Kennedy takes the Champions Mile (G1)!

pic.twitter.com/IMK84XV8r3

— IFHA's Longines World's Best Racehorse Rankings (@worldsbesthorse) November 11, 2023

“She’s going to take improvement from that and first-up in the past she hasn’t always led, I’ll speak with connections before the race, but I’d imagine we’ll go in with an open mind.”

Pride Of Jenni has yet to win first-up in six attempts, but placed twice.

Last campaign the Ciaron Maher-trained mare was sixth behind Amelia’s Jewel first-up in the Group 2 Let’s Elope Stakes.

She almost pinched the Group 2 Stocks Stakes second-up behind Amelia’s Jewel again and rebounded from a sixth placing in the Group 1 Toorak Handicap third-up to secure her back-to-back top flight honours at Flemington.

“She deserves a lot of respect after her spring campaign, she’s been trialling up good, she’s in great order, but obviously this isn’t her grand final so she’s going to take improvement from it,” Bates said.

“In saying that, she’s in a good headspace, nice and relaxed at home and she’s fit and well, she’s going to run a big race.”

𝐑𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫? 🔥

What an effort from @decbates to steal the G1 Empire Rose Stakes aboard PRIDE OF JENNI! pic.twitter.com/dyab19gvwQ

— World Horse Racing (@WHR) November 4, 2023

The C.F Orr has been leader friendly in recent years.

Tofane led all the way to win in 2022, while Gentleman Roy was first past the post last year before he was relegated to second on protest.

Manuel (2019) and Streets Of Avalon (2021) adopted bold frontrunning tactics and duly saluted.

Pride Of Jenni, like Mr Brightside, the reigning All-Star Mile winner, has been trained to peak third-up in the $4m Melbourne autumn showpiece on March 16 at Caulfield.

Despite a healthy respect for Mr Brightside and the CF Orr opposition generally, Bates has eyes only for his mount.

“I think with her, probably more so than any horse, you just got to ride her,” Bates said, mindful the Orr could be a tactical affair with hard-fit contenders trying to topple the classy first-up brigade.

Congratulations to @brideoakeracing and connections on winning the @MuskCreekFarm BM58 @Mornington this afternoon with a very nice daughter of Pride Of Dubai in Pride Of Jenni!! Ridden by the in form jockey @jamieleekah07 she looks to be a filly worth following!! https://t.co/wNCEoAJsts

— Musk Creek Farm (@MuskCreekFarm) October 19, 2020

“Ride her where she’s comfortable and I don’t worry about the rest of the field.”

With Mr Brightside and Pride Of Jenni in the All-Star Mile already, Racing Victoria has confirmed a wildcard would be offered to the highest place horse from the remainder of the C.F Orr field.

Originally published as Jockey Declan Bates says Pride Of Jenni deserves respect first-up in the CF Orr Stakes at Caulfield