The Ciaron Maher & David Eustace-trained Pride Of Jenni is now a dual Group 1 winning mare on successive Saturdays with the Empire Rose Stakes champ leading all-the-way in an unbelievable upset in the Group 1 $3 million Kennedy Champions Mile (1600m).
2023 Champions Mile winner Pride Of Jenni was outstanding winning her second Group 1 in as many weeks. Photo: Steve Hart.
On Derby Day the six-year-old daughter of Pride Of Dubai overcame barrier 16 of 16 crossing to lead the fellow mares around and salute in the Group 1 Empire Rose Stakes (1600m) at big odds.
On the quick back-up she returned to the same track and trip on Stakes Day at double-figures again taking on a field of the country’s premier milers.
Jockey Declan Bates continued his excellent association on Pride Of Jenni who he again took straight to the front setting a strong pace in the lead and rating her to perfection.
While the rest sat back thinking she would fade, it proved foolish as the bonny mare led from barrier to box and wouldn’t be run down.
“Unbelievable,” co-trainer Ciaron Maher told Racing.com.
“I think it’s just a combination of a lot of things.
“She’s an older mare now they need to be very seasoned to race in that style that she does.
“To win one on Saturday I thought we’d have a throw at the stumps (again today) but she’s run as well or better.
“Dec bates just spot on. He just really suits her.
“What can you say? She’s phenomenal.”
Mr Brightside tried hard late on the back of a Cox Plate second but ran out of time crossing one and a quarter lengths second.
In third was the Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott-trained Alligator Blood who didn’t have the early speed to match the eventual winner and having to settle for third in his failed title defence.
Race favourite was the Chris Waller-trained Fangirl who ran fourth in a somewhat disappointing performance compared to the winner.
2023 Champions Mile Results
| Finish | No. | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Margin | Bar. | Weight | Penalty | Starting Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 7 | PRIDE OF JENNI | Ciaron Maher & David Eustace | Declan Bates | 3 | 57kg | $13 | |||
| 2 | 1 | MR BRIGHTSIDE (NZ) | Ben, Will & JD Hayes | Craig Williams | 1.25L | 2 | 59kg | $3 | ||
| 3 | 2 | ALLIGATOR BLOOD | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Tim Clark | 2.5L | 5 | 59kg | $4.20 | ||
| 4 | 6 | FANGIRL | Chris Waller | James McDonald | 2.6L | 7 | 57kg | $2.40F | ||
| 5 | 3 | THE INEVITABLE | John Keys | Damien Oliver | 3.6L | 4 | 59kg | $26 | ||
| 6 | 4 | BANKERS CHOICE (NZ) | Michael Moroney | John Allen | 7.35L | 6 | 59kg | $81 | ||
| 7 | 5 | VICTORIA ROAD (IRE) | Ciaron Maher & David Eustace | Blake Shinn | 8.1L | 1 | 58kg | $19 |
Table Credit: Racing Australia.
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