A masterful ride from Declan Bates on Pride of Jenni handed star mare Treasurethe Moment her third career defeat in the Feehan Stakes at Moonee Valley, in a night favourite backers will want to forget.
Fellow star mare Lady Shenandoah failed to place as a $2.30 favourite in the Group 1 Manikato Stakes. Under James McDonald, she suffered interference in the run before momentarily looming, but the tough run took its toll.
Bates predictably took Pride of Jenni to the front and it looked like Treasurethe Moment might run her down – but the 8-year-old mare hung on.
Winning trainer Ciaron Maher was emotional post race.
“I was a little bit reserved. That’s what I mean, she’s just an amazing horse. Dec Bates knows her so well. I was rapt to have him back on. Full credit to Tony to have the courage to race her on. She’s 100 percent sound and really enjoying her racing. I can’t thank him, my team and Dec enough,” he said.
Feehan Stakes | Pride Of Jenni
Back with a BANG! 💥 The 3x G1 winner winds back the clock to go back-to-back in the Feehan with @decbates back in the saddle for @cmaherracing 💪
📺 Ch. 78/68, Foxtel 529, Kayo or via our app
REPLAYS: https://t.co/ZIa4a034ry pic.twitter.com/1tqoIkUAo6— Racing.com (@Racing) September 26, 2025
Bates said he was forced to overcome a bad start.
“I knew I was going to get to the front before too long, so I just steadily got there, and once we hit the bend, she sort of grabbed the bit down that top side and then certainly from the thousand, I said right I was going to go, let’s go and she wasn’t for catching,” he said.
Treasurethe Moment did enough in defeat to suggest she has recovered from a colic scare and can continue her Cox Plate preparation.
Chris Waller will continue Lady Shenandoah towards The Everest, with outsider Charm Stone picking up the Group 1.
McDonald was pleased enough with the run.
“She’s gone well, she just had a bit of an uninterrupted run throughout, it wasn’t smooth, she finished off well.”
Manikato Stakes | Charm Stone
What a mare 🎉 A brilliant finish gives @MickPriceRacing’s star her second Group 1, guided by @blake_shinn 💎
📺 Ch. 78/68, Foxtel 529, Kayo or via our app
REPLAYS: https://t.co/ZIa4a034ry pic.twitter.com/vXg6bjijo9— Racing.com (@Racing) September 26, 2025
Lady Shenandoah was just one of the red-hot favourites that went down on Friday night.
Vinrock failed to place despite starting $1.60 in the Stutt Stakes, and Esha, who started $2.30 in the Scarborough Stakes, faded to finish 8th.
