Trainer Ciaron Maher is preparing a formidable duo, Pride Of Jenni and Another Wil, for the upcoming Group 2 Feehan Stakes.
This year’s edition of the Feehan Stakes, a 1600-metre race, is scheduled to be held at Caulfield, deviating from its traditional home at Moonee Valley due to ongoing track redevelopment.
Pride Of Jenni, the victor in the last two renewals of the Feehan Stakes, will once again face off against notable contenders Mr Brightside and Treasurethe Moment, both of whom she has previously outshone.
Maher reported that Pride Of Jenni, now a nine-year-old, is performing as well as ever, evidenced by a recent 1200-metre jump-out at Cranbourne on September 14.
Pride Of Jenni’s last competitive appearance resulted in a second-place finish behind Birdman in the Doomben Cup in May.
“She’s come up really well,” Maher shared.
“Her weight is good. She wintered well and she was in great form, and we saw that form carry through on Saturday with Birdman winning. He looks like he’s improved, and it would be good if she could improve that much again.”
The trainer also observed that Pride Of Jenni has seemingly mellowed with age.
“All her mannerisms are still there, and she seems to be in good form, so I’m looking forward to lining her up on Sunday,” Maher remarked.
Another Wil, who hasn’t recorded a win since taking out the C F Orr Stakes (1400m) in February 2025, showed promising signs of his former capabilities when finishing third in the Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on September 12, behind Sheza Alibi and Autumn Boy.
“He was super the other day,” Maher said.
“At the top of the straight, he looked like he had a lap full of horse, and he ran the race out very well. He was unlucky in an All-Star Mile, and it looks like he’s got back to that form, but the trick will be whether he can be consistent this prep, but he certainly came through it well.”
Maher is contemplating extending Another Wil’s racing distance to 2000 metres.
“We have the option of whether we go out to the 10 furlongs (2000m) or not and I’ve always wanted to take him out to the 10 furlongs. His (half) brother (Wil John) won a Grand National and a Jericho Cup over 4600 (metres), so you would think an extra two furlongs (400m) wouldn’t worry him. He’s been in and out of form, so it’s great to have him back.”
With the Feehan Stakes on the horizon, punters are keen to assess the racing odds for the Caulfield feature.