A packed Moonee Valley erupted as Pride Of Jenni stormed back to winning form on Friday night.
The mare’s front-running style once again stirred memories of last year’s Group 2 Feehan Stakes, with the crowd lifting her to the line as Treasurethe Moment loomed on the turn.
With regular rider Declan Bates reunited in the saddle, Pride Of Jenni ($3.60) surged to a 1-¾ length victory over the $1.50 favourite, with Attrition ($21) a further 3-¾ lengths away.
Trainer Ciaron Maher admitted to some nerves after her unplaced run in the Group 1 Doomben Cup (2000m) in May, but said the mare had returned fit and thriving.
“I was a little bit reserved, but she’s just an amazing horse,” Maher said. “Dec Bates knows her so well and I was rapt to have him back on.”
Bates, who lost the ride after last year’s Cox Plate (2040m), said: “I think this is the first time I’ve ever actually heard the crowd … she wasn’t for catching.”