Pride Of Jenni owner Tony Ottobre complains to stewards over rival’s tactics in King Charles III Stakes

Tony Ottobre complained to stewards about the tactics of a rival jockey after Pride Of Jenni was defeated in the King Charles III Stakes.

Major Beel keeps Pride Of Jenni posted wide early in the Group 1 King Charles III Stakes.

Pride Of Jenni’s controversial owner Tony Ottobre approached stewards complaining about tactics adopted by Major Beel’s rider in the Group 1 King Charles III Stakes (1600m).

Ottobre expressed his concerns over Adam Hyeronimus tactics aboard Major Beel in the first 400m of the weight-for-age feature.

Stewards then called upon Hyeronimus and Pride Of Jenni’s jockey Declan Bates to give evidence on the matter.

A new star is born - CEOLWULF wins the King Charles III!@SchofieldChad urges the @PrideRacing gelding to run down a brave Pride Of Jenni and claim the $5 million Group 1 in an exciting contest. My Oberon finished third. @tabcomaupic.twitter.com/hmARVlRDu0

— Racing NSW (@racing_nsw) October 19, 2024

In the first 400m of the race, Hyeronimus maintained a straight line around 10 horses off the fence.

“No extra was covered by either horse,” Hyeronimus told the hearing.

Ottobre suggested “it doesn’t look good for racing”.

“He is well within his rights to keep a straight line but it doesn’t look good when a horse is being left out and kept out and pushed out,” he said.

Pride Of Jenni’s owner Tony Ottobre. Picture; Vince Caligiuri / Getty Images

Pride Of Jenni, well known for her bold frontrunning style, only found the lead after 400m when the field swung off the back straight.

Bates said: “Whether it affected me negatively, I don’t think it did.”

Hyeronimus said post-race: “The plan was to be a little cheeky and we were”.

The Joe Pride-trained Ceolwulf surged home from back in the pack to gun down Pride Of Jenni over the concluding stages.

Major Beel (yellow) and Pride Of Jenni race wide at the start of the King Charles III Stakes at Royal Randwick. Picture: supplied

After hearing the evidence, stewards agreed with the riders’ version of events.

“You (Hyeronimus) jumped cleanly, Pride Of Jenni doesn’t jump well and you take a straight line down the back straight before Pride Of Jenni gets the better of you and then carries you over towards the rail,” chief steward Steve Railton said.

“It’s an awkward situation. When the owners voice raise a concern, we are duty bound to look at it but we accept your explanation and we are satisfied there was no improper riding.”