When Ciaron Maher rang Pride Of Jenni’s owner, Tony Ottobre, and suggested a winter adjunct to her career, he was told under one proviso, “only if she’s 100 per cent, not 99.”
Pride Of Jenni was a surprise entry in Saturday’s Hollindale Stakes after working at Bong Bong last week and the Gold Coast on Monday morning.
“She had been in a paddock at Bong Bong since her run at The Championships and has been bucking her brand off,” Ottobre said.
“Ciaron said to me that these older mares like to just stay in work and in routine and said it worked well with Bella Nipotina.”
“He gave her some work last week and suggested Queensland, and I said you’re the trainer but only if she’s 100 per cent, not 99.”
“She went up to the Gold Coast and Declan Bates rode her and was very happy with her this morning.”
Pride of Jenni has not been seen since her fifth in the Queen Of The Turf at Randwick on April 11 after placings in the All Star Mile and the Australian Cup.
“The plan was three runs and have a break for the spring, but she wants to be there, and Ciaron is very happy with her,” Ottobre said.
Bates was left impressed by the eight-year-old’s workout at the Gold Coast on Monday and believes she’s ready for the challenge of 1800m against Melbourne Cup winner Half Yours and She’s A Hustler.
“This place is a bit new to her, so when we cantered off here at the Gold Coast, she had a good look around,” Bates said. “It was probably only when we got to the half-mile she realised what she was doing and then she came up underneath me.”
“From the 600m, she really started to tow me, so I really had to keep hold onto her. She stretched nicely in the straight.”
“I’m basically very happy with her.”
Half Yours is the $2.25 Hollindale favourite with Pride Of Jenni and She’s A Hustler on the second line of betting at $5.
