Pride Of Jenni wins the Champions' Mile. Picture: Racing Photos
Pride Of Jenni has come a long way in the space of seven days and next year she is poised to go a lot further.
Just a week ago, the five-year-old mare was still to prove her G1 credentials, but on Saturday a Royal Ascot campaign was being discussed after she ran the best milers off their legs in the G1 Champions Mile at Flemington.
On Saturday, Pride Of Jenni did not quite replicate her Empire Rose Stakes win of seven days ago – she went about eight lengths quicker. And she needed to as she was taking on the cream of Australian milers.
The result didn’t shock either jockey Declan Bates, who admits to being in love with racing’s newest star nor senior trainer Ciaron Maher, who suspected her Empire Rose Stakes domination of a week ago was no fluke.
“When mares are in form, they can do that,” a delighted Maher said.
“I thought (last) Saturday would have had some effect on her. But we dotted the Is and crossed the Ts during the week and she hasn’t done anything really.
“It was a small field and I thought it was worth a throw at the stumps, as she never missed an oat and pulled up really well.”
Given her form at the 1600-metre trip, Maher was asked whether the All-Star Mile in March would be tempting and he said there were even bigger goals in sight.
“The All-Star Mile and maybe Royal Ascot,” he said. “The Queen Anne (1600m).”
WATCH: Pride of Jenni's second straight G1 at Flemington