Pride Of Jenni books her ticker for Queensland winter carnival with Anniversary Vase victory
Pride Of Jenni has beaten tougher opposition but the mare still notched a crucial win in Saturday's Listed Anniversary Vase (1600m) at Caulfield.
A Brisbane winter carnival trip hinged on Pride Of Jenni showing a semblance of her imperious best in the Anniversary after her last-start flop in the Group 1 Australian Cup in March.
Another moderate performance would have prompted questions about the multiple Group 1 winner's future but the Ciaron Maher -trained Pride Of Jenni did what was required despite being short of peak fitness.
While enjoying favourable weight terms under the quality conditions of the Anniversary Vase, Pride Of Jenni still needed to give her rivals up to 7kg at her first run for six weeks.
Tactics remained the same as jockey Craig Newitt persevered for the lead after early opposition from Regal Zeus before Pride Of Jenni got into her work from the 1200m.
Pride Of Jenni carved out strong mid-race sectionals before rounding the home turn with only a two-length break on her rivals.
However, that was enough as placegetters Scheelite ($5) and Pounding ($5) could get no closer than 2¼ lengths from the bold frontrunner on the line.
SHE'S BACK! �
Pride Of Jenni is back to her best with a win in the Anniversary Vase at Caulfield!
Bring on the Doomben Cup. @cmaherracing @craig_newitt pic.twitter.com/FeVdpHa34V
â€' 7HorseRacing ðŸ�Ž (@7horseracing) May 3, 2025
Newitt said Pride Of Jenni didn't quicken in the second half of the race but showed little sign of fatigue in the last 200m.
'She never quickened any more but she never weakened. She just kept up her gallop,' Newitt said.
'Her stamina really kicked in.
'I sensed there was something there at the top of the straight so I thought, 'today's the day we'll find out what is there' and, to my surprise, she really kept her gallop through the line.'
Newitt said he was more relieved than jubilant about Pride Of Jenni bouncing back to winning ways after the disappointing Australian Cup run.
'She's always fun to ride,' Newitt said.
'The ground was very quick today and she's obviously very effective on wet ground, which she'll get in Brisbane.
'It's just a relief really because we know how good she is on her day.'
Owner Tony Ottobre said the Group 1 Doomben Cup would be Pride Of Jenni's next appearance but Maher would determine the rest of her Brisbane winter program.
'She's got a bit more condition than we hoped but obviously she got more (fitness) to come,' Ottobre said.
'She's just a superstar.
'There's more improvement to come, so that's good.
'She's got no niggling issues or anything like that so she's perfect and that's what you see when she's 100 per cent right.'
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