Racing Victoria stewards question Ciaron Maher over Pride Of Jenni entry for Toorak Handicap
Racing Victoria stewards have inquired into leading trainer Ciaron Maher’s decision to enter star mare Pride Of Jenni for Saturday’s Group 1 Toorak Handicap at Caulfield.
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Racing Victoria stewards have questioned premier trainer Ciaron Maher over his immediate plans with super mare Pride Of Jenni.
Maher entered Pride of Jenni for both the Group 1 Toorak Handicap (1600m) and Group 1 Might And Power Stakes (2000m) on Saturday’s Caulfield Guineas program.
However, stewards interviewed Maher on Monday about Pride Of Jenni’s nomination for the Toorak Handicap.
Stewards queried Maher’s intentions with Pride Of Jenni as the trainer had long stated his plan was to run the seven-year-old in Saturday week’s $5m King Charles Stakes in Sydney before backing up in the Cox Plate seven days later.
Maher told stewards that a consultation with Pride Of Jenni’s owner Tony Ottobre had led to an opinion that the Toorak Handicap was a viable option for her.
Maher and Ottobre decided the Toorak was an alternative given it was in her home state and the triple Group 1 winner would receive a suitable weight based on RV’s handicapping template.
Stewards accepted Maher’s explanation, allowing him to enter Pride Of Jenni for the Toorak Handicap.
Under the Victorian handicapping template, Pride Of Jenni would carry 59.5kg if she competed in the race.
The conditions of the Toorak Handicap state a requirement for a minimum 58kg topweight at the release of weights and a 57kg topweight at acceptance time on Wednesday.
Weights for all runners would need to rise by 1kg if Pride Of Jenni is not among the final acceptors for the Toorak Handicap but would remain the same if Maher accepts with her but later decides to scratch the winner of $9.1m.
Pride Of Jenni was one of five Toorak Handicap entries from the Maher stable along with Jennilala, also owned by Ottobre, Light Infantry Man, New Energy and pre-post favourite Another Wil.
Only one horse - Mr Quickie in 2020 - has carried more than 58kg to victory in a Toorak Handicap since Gunsynd carried nine stone and three ounces (58.5kg) in 1971.
Originally published as Racing Victoria stewards question Ciaron Maher over Pride Of Jenni entry for Toorak Handicap
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