Leading trainer Ciaron Maher is plotting an ambitious spring path with superstar mare Pride Of Jenni (Pride Of Dubai), which will include a nomination for the Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m).
But whether they head that way is still to be decided with her preparation set to include back-to-back Group One races in two states, including the Gr.1 Cox Plate (2040m) on October 26.
A three-time winner at the elite level, the All-Star Mile winner is set to resume in the Gr.1 Memsie Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on Saturday, August 31 and Maher has been delighted with her since her return to work.
“As she’s gone on, the more relaxed she’s got and the better she’s got,” Maher said.
“There’s no reason why she couldn’t again. After the spring we thought could she match what she did last preparation and she did more than that. There’s got to be a ceiling somewhere though.”
As for backing up from the King Charles III Stakes at Randwick into the Cox Plate, Maher believes Pride Of Jenni is up to the task.
“She’s backed up before after a week but this is a back-up a week apart after an interstate run and then travel home. It’s going to be tough to do but let’s see how we go,” said Maher, who is also likely to nominate her for the Melbourne Cup at the suggestion of owner Tony Ottobre.
Maher said the presence of Pride Of Jenni would add an interesting dimension to the Melbourne Cup, although she might not quite provide the international readers with the pacemaker they’d hope.
“She wouldn’t be a pacemaker, but a pace killer,” he said.
A daughter of Pride Of Dubai, Pride Of Jenni was bred by Trelawney Stud and is out of the O’Reilly mare Sancerre, who was prepared by Cambridge trainer Tony Pike to win on four occasions for the Stud.
