Jenni’s clash with Treasurethe Moment

[Wandering Eyes]

Bold front running mare Pride Of Jenni (Pride Of Dubai) will be out to light up The Valley once again when she chases back-to-back wins in the Gr.2 Feehan Stakes (1600m) on Friday night.

Ciaron Maher’s eight-year-old will be first up since May and had Declan Bates in the saddle for her Monday morning gallop at the tight inner city circuit, with Maher receiving positive feedback from the Irishman.

“He said he felt she was pretty relaxed for the first half of the gallop and wanted to rip down the second, so he was pretty happy,” Maher said.

Pride Of Jenni has endured a topsy turvy time over the past twelve months. The three-time Group One winner won the Feehan Stakes last spring and was an emphatic winner of the Gr.2 Peter Young Stakes (1800m) in the autumn, however, she has also suffered resounding defeats in the Gr.1 Cox Plate (2040m), Gr.1 Champions Mile (1600m), Gr.1 Australian Cup (2000m), Gr.1 Doomben Cup (2000m) during that period.

Maher suggested though that Pride Of Jenni still had the zest for racing.

“She’s a pretty easy read, she lets you know when she’s had enough,” he said.

“All the signs are pretty good, but I suppose, older mare, you always want to see it.”

Pride Of Jenni has had two jumpouts leading into her first up run for the spring, where the Gr.1 Empire Rose Stakes (1600m) looms as a potential target for her.

“She’s improving with each gallop and jumpout,” Maher said.

“The first one she was a bit soft; her second trial she trialled a lot better. She’s come on nicely for that, Dec was pretty happy with her this morning.

“She’s heading in the right direction.”

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