Why Pride of Jenni trainers are pumped ahead of Doomben Cup
Off the plane and straight to work for Pride Of Jenni in preparation for the Group 1 Doomben Cup.
Pride Of Jenni arrived in Brisbane on Tuesday night and was given a canter on the treadmill on Wednesday morning as she heads to the Group 1 2000m weight-for-age contest at Doomben on Saturday.
Jack Turnbull, assistant trainer for Ciaron Maher, said Pride Of Jenni was a part of a contingent of horses that flew into Brisbane for the Winter Carnival.
'She travelled up last night and travelled well,' Turnbull said.
'She had a big drink, and then we worked her on the treadmill this morning, she had a canter and then had a pick.
'It was all very light, but she'll be ridden (on Thursday) and then it will all be light into the weekend.'
Turnbull said the team at Cranbourne had maintained Pride Of Jenni's fitness since her win at Caulfield over 1600m earlier in the month.
Two gallops on the treadmill and a gallop under saddle maintained the mare's fitness levels.
'She had two good gallops on the treadmill as that way we can control and monitor what she does,' Turnbull said.
'She also had a nice gallop on the Monday which Craig (Newitt) came in for.
'She's at a level of fitness where we do not have to get her fit, just maintain her, and make sure she's in the best form, which we believe she is.
'Everything we see off the tread, off the track, the feel for Craig and off her other rider, it's all very positive and what you need.
'We took blood from her, which was all good, so fingers crossed leading into Saturday morning there's no travel sickness that pops up, which can happen from time to time.
'She's an older mare and has travelled fine.'
Turnbull conceded the Doomben Cup will be a different scenario on Saturday with the calibre of horse engaged.
But from barrier one, he believes Pride Of Jenni is perfectly drawn.
'She's drawn perfectly and if the rain does fall, she's got the wet track form,' Turnbull said.
'Her racing pattern, which we all know, makes it on a track like that.
'Antino is drawn out in 11, and they'll have to make a call pretty quick where they land and sit, but Jenni, she's in good shape.'
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