Latest News

By Ray Hickson

There’s something of an art to riding a horse like Pride Of Jenni.

Jockey Declan Bates (Pic: Grant Guy)

All eyes will be on jockey Declan Bates and how he handles the front-running mare who many feel holds the key to the outcome of the Group 1 $5 million Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) at Randwick on Saturday.

Pride Of Jenni has won three of her last five starts, including two Group 1s and the All-Star Mile, with her tearaway tactics and come very close to stealing the other two.

It’s fair to say her presence adds excitement to an already intriguing race and Bates said he tries not to overthink his tactics and work with the mare.

“I guess it’s a bit tricky but I try to keep it simpler than it sounds,’’ Bates said.

“She has a high cruising speed and she likes to bowl along so it’s a matter of letting her use it.

“Her job is to stretch the field and use that high cruising speed and my job is to not let her do it too much. It’s a bit of a negotiation between the two of us.

“You want to let her use it because it’s a good asset to be able to sustain it and that’s how she’s winning these big races.”

The six-year-old, $4 with TAB on Thursday, has been a revelation in the past six months and perhaps it’s a sign that Bates, who first rode the mare back in October 2021, understands her.

A year ago she almost stole the Coolmore Classic with Robbie Dolan on board but she was nowhere near as effective in either the Queen Of The Turf of JRA Plate at last year’s autumn carnival.

Bates said it’s all about keeping Pride Of Jenni relaxed and in a rhythm and when that happens she’s very hard to run down.

“I don’t go out there thinking I have to lead, I always felt if something were to go quick enough I could take a sit but generally there isn’t anything that can go her cruising speed,’’ he said.

“The second I get on her back it’s about getting into a nice rhythm straight away, that first 400m out of the barriers is pretty important.

"You want to allow her to build up a bit of steam but not too much.

“She can sustain it, and it’s a matter of letting her stretch the field without overdoing it. You need to have enough at the end to hold them off.”

The Ciaron Maher-trained mare has only attempted 2000m twice and she’ll renew rivalries with her Australian Cup conqueror Cascadian in the Queen Elizabeth.

What’s different this time around is Saturday will be the first time Pride Of Jenni has tackled 2000m having had a run at 2000m leading in and Bates hopes that’s significant.

“You’d hope so, speaking to Ciaron straight after the last run we both felt that would be the case,’’ he said.

#2 CASCADIAN gets to the leader late to win the $3 Million Australian Cup (G1) at Flemington for the second straight year. Ben Melham was in the irons for James Cummings.

Watch more on @FanDuelTV. pic.twitter.com/3YE5EWd8Hh

— TVG (@TVG) March 30, 2024

Pride Of Jenni runs second in the Australian Cup

“I had to work a bit over the first 400m to not let her do too much too early because she was coming out expecting to go that mile speed.

“With the second run over this distance in a row it might make my job a little easier."

Bates said that lack of a tough 2000m run might have come into play late in the Australian Cup.

“I knew I was starting to get a bit vulnerable late. I think every time you ride her you’re never sure until you hit the line,'' he said.

“I didn’t feel I’d put them away so I wasn’t surprised one came at me.”

All the fields, form and replays for Day 2 of The Star Championships at Randwick