The Group 1 race for mares on Victoria Derby Day is anticipated to be less of a survival test with the notable withdrawal of Pride Of Jenni.

Pride Of Jenni, a dual winner of the Empire Rose Stakes (1600m) at Flemington in 2023 and again last year, was expected to be a major attraction on Saturday.

However, the mare’s slower-than-expected recovery from a leg infection means she will miss the third Group 1 race of the day.

Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott’s charge, Surfin’ Bird, is set to make her Group 1 debut after recently winning the Group 2 Crystal Mile over Saturday’s course and distance.

While Pride Of Jenni’s participation always adds to the excitement, Waterhouse conceded that her absence will make the task for Surfin’ Bird and the other mares in the field somewhat easier.

“It’s a huge difference and for all the mares in it,” Waterhouse said. “The pressure won’t be on in the same way, and it should be a more sensibly run race.”

Now a five-year-old, Surfin’ Bird has been a slow-maturing mare but has managed to secure seven wins from her twelve starts.

At this time last year, Surfin’ Bird was competing in benchmark races and finished a weakening fifth in the Group 3 Hong Jockey Jockey Club Stakes (1400m) on Melbourne Cup Day as an odds-on favourite.

“She’s almost a different horse,” Waterhouse stated. “Last year she would have been beaten on Saturday, but this year, she’s a year older, more mature, bigger and stronger.”

“I love backing up horses. You only have to look at the horse (Cosmic Crusader) that won the Cox Plate.”

“She has thrived this preparation and her win last week was really gutsy I thought. I really love it when they roll up their sleeves and get on with the job and I liked the way she found the line and has gone ahead since then. She seems very happy and she doesn’t have to improve a lot. I think the Empire Rose is a winnable race this year.”

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