The location and timing of the race differed, but Pride Of Jenni’s strong connection with the Feehan Stakes at Caulfield on Sunday remained evident.
The highly-regarded front-runner achieved a notable milestone, becoming a triple winner of the Moonee Valley Racing Club’s feature event, matching the record set by Shorengro (1968-70) with a characteristic relentless performance.
This year’s Feehan Stakes was the first to be conducted at Caulfield, as the race has recently been scheduled as a key support race on Moonee Valley’s Grand Final Eve Friday night program. This fixture was shifted to Caulfield this year due to ongoing reconstruction at The Valley.
Pride Of Jenni commenced her campaign for this year’s event first-up following her second-place finish in the Group 1 Doomben Cup in May. Trainer Ciaron Maher expressed his disbelief that the mare, owned by Tony Ottobre, is still competing at such a high standard at nine years of age.
“We were very rapt with her since the winter, Tony and his team manage her well and our team certainly know her very, very well,” Maher stated. “I can’t thank the whole team at Cranbourne (enough). That’s where she spends most of her time, but she went to Ballarat for a gallop this prep which all the staff were happy about. She’s just phenomenal. She’s such a great mare. To have her back at this age and arguably in as good a form as ever, it is quite remarkable.”
This third consecutive Feehan Stakes success marked the 14th win in Pride Of Jenni’s 49-start career, propelling her earnings to just over $12.8 million with the $300,000 winner’s prize.
She did not have an uncontested lead in the early stages, with the frequently competing Mr Brightside ridden aggressively from his wide barrier. However, Pride Of Jenni took command after 200 metres, and jockey Declan Bates proceeded to rate her with his usual expertise.
The $1.85 favourite’s margin was reduced to approximately two lengths approaching the home turn, but she found another effort in the straight to win by 1-1/2 lengths from Treasurethe Moment ($8). Treasurethe Moment demonstrated a significant improvement after her unconvincing run in the Makybe Diva Stakes, while Pounding, a $71 outsider, finished a further 1-3/4 lengths back in third.
A key talking point following the race was the performance of star miler Mr Brightside, who faded dramatically in the latter stages and finished behind all other runners.
Bates was effusive in his praise for the horse that has dramatically altered his career, marking their eighth victory together.
“She’s just made of different stuff,” Bates declared. “We know it now. All the signs at home were that she’s as good as ever and I really came here full of confidence at how well she was going. Once again, Ciaron Maher producing her on the day. It was for me just sit and steer and enjoy the ride.”
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