Jenni preparing for racetrack return

Former Horse Of The Year Pride Of Jenni (Pride Of Dubai) is set to take a step towards a return to the racetrack having been entered for upcoming trials.

The Ciaron Maher-trained mare is entered for a jump-out on Monday at Cranbourne and for a trial on the Caulfield Heath track on Tuesday, both over 800m.

Maher said track conditions would be pivotal in determining where the champion mare steps out.

It was thought Pride Of Jenni was headed for the breeding barn when tenth in the Gr.1 Doomben Cup in May, but Maher said the mare had returned to his Cranbourne stable in excellent order.

Pride Of Jenni did her pre-training at owner Tony Ottobre’s property on the Mornington Peninsula.

“They did a good job with her,” Maher said.

“She had a nice covering on her. She is nice and happy, nice and free in her action.

“The signs are positive. She’s a marvel actually, she surprises me every time she comes back.

“She’ll trial on one of those days. We’ll have a look at track conditions and work out which suits better, but it doesn’t really matter.

“She seems in a really good spot, physically and mentally and we’ll be guided by how she jumps out, but all signs seem pretty good.”

Maher said no race had been picked out for Pride Of Jenni’s first-up outing, and her program would be worked on further following Monday or Tuesday’s hit out.

The trainer indicated Pride Of Jenni was likely to remain in Melbourne for her campaign.

“I think she will stay here,” Maher said.

“I think we’ll keep her around the mile, 1800 (metres) and probably on the backend of spring.”

The Gr.1 Empire Rose Stakes and the Gr.1 Champions Mile, both over 1600m at Flemington during Melbourne Cup week, could be potential targets for Pride Of Jenni this spring.

Those two races in 2023 were the first Group One victories for the mare, kickstarting her towards Horse Of The Year honours in season 2023-24.