The fortunes of Pride Of Jenni were hanging in the balance 18 months back, yet this Saturday at Flemington she has the chance to emerge as the inaugural dual victor of the All-Star Mile.
Pride Of Jenni endured a bleeding episode that saw her finish tailed off in the Champions Mile at Flemington back in November 2024, leading owner Tony Ottobre to declare her retirement.
The current eight-year-old made her return the next March with a first-up success at 1800m, and Pride Of Jenni added three more triumphs in 2025, among them the Group 1 Empire Rose Stakes (1600m) amid Melbourne Cup week, the event she claimed in 2023 displaying her ‘catch me if you can’ approach ridden by Declan Bates.
Trainer Ciaron Maher noted that Pride Of Jenni is in excellent shape ahead of her newest comeback on the track in the Group 1 All-Star Mile (1600m) at Flemington this Saturday.
“I’m rapt with the way she has progressed through the prep,” Maher said.
“Tony kept her active when she was down at his property and she came here in really good order and she will strip pretty close to her ideal race weight.
“She’s amazing how evergreen she is. Her endeavour, her action, her whole demeanour.
“Dec sat on her on Monday and said she wanted to rip from the 600 metres. He doesn’t say a lot, but when he’s saying that you know you’re pretty close to the mark.”
Maher expressed assurance in Pride Of Jenni performing strongly on her seasonal debut this Saturday, particularly since her latest campaigns have focused on distances of 1600m and beyond right from the outset.
He mentioned that her return to racing after it seemed her career had ended, now targeting another All-Star Mile success, stands as an extraordinary feat.
“She’s unbelievable,” Maher said.
“Even what she did in the spring. She continues to surprise with her longevity, her endeavour, her will that she has.
“The team have done a super job with her and continue to do that, and Tony and his team need to take a fair bit of credit as well.
“She seems as good as ever.”
Pride Of Jenni faces 10 rivals this Saturday, featuring last year’s champion Tom Kitten, Buckaroo, Antino and Treasurethe Moment. For the top Australian betting sites ahead of the All-Star Mile, check out the latest racing odds.
