Mornington trainer John McArdle confident Regal Zeus can hold his own against Pride Of Jenni

Trainer John McArdle wasn’t surprised to see Pride Of Jenni in the acceptances, but has Regal Zeus primed for to cause an upset in the Anniversary Vase if the champion mare is off her game.

When Pride Of Jenni lobs as a rival in Monday’s nominations, you could be forgiven for raising an eyebrow.

But not if your trainer John McArdle, the Group 1-winning handler remains unfazed as he prepares Regal Zeus for Saturday’s Listed Anniversary Vase at Caulfield.

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“It’s got nothing to do with me, I only race what’s there,” McArdle said.

“Was I surprised? No. She was in the nominations so there was always a chance she would run.”

Pride Of Jenni is a $2.15 favourite for Saturday’s mile feature, with Regal Zeus a $5.50 second elect.

The tough gelding was a gutsy winner in the Listed Golden Mile at Bendigo last start, a maiden stakes win.

He’s in career-best form, but the son of Zoustar will have to rise to another level if he’s to upset the champion mare on Saturday, as she gears up for a possible Queensland winter carnival campaign.

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“Obviously she likes to go out and lead hard, we’ll just run our own race, if she’s going hard out in front, I’d presume we would be sitting second,” he said.

“She’s got to carry a big weight (61kg), she’s obviously a multiple Group 1-winning mare, if she’s at her best, she’s probably too good for us.

“If there’s a chink in her armour, our bloke will be there, he’ll be trying his hardest, he’s tough – we’ll be doing our best to try and catch her.”

Regal Zeus wins the Golden Mile at Bendigo in April. Picture: Scott Barbour-Racing Photos via Getty Images

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Regal Zeus has drawn the widest gate in Saturday’s field of nine, and will be piloted by Zac Spain.

“He begins very, very quickly, I would’ve thought he will jump and roll across, the way I’ve got the race mapped is that he’ll be sitting second, and we’ll get rolling at around the 400-500m like always,” he said.

“If it’s good enough to catch her, great, if not, we’ve been beaten by a superstar – there’s no harm in that.”

McArdle knows he will get another honest showing from his gelding on Saturday, Regal Zeus has missed a placing just once in 10 previous starts.

Regal Zeus can't be run down in the Golden Mile! 😤

Jamie Mott is having a day to remember at Bendigo with a treble!@[e-mail]/lqD8NaLnkV

— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) April 12, 2025

The Mornington-based conditioner has been pleased with how Regal Zeus came through his last-start Golden Mile win.

“He’s ran first or second in nine of his last 10, he fights all the time, he’s a very tough horse,” McArdle said.

“It’s just been his standard routine, a lot of times he goes to the water walker at Fulmen Park, he did that, then he’s just been home and gone through his normal routine.

“He seems to be in good order.”