Trainer Ciaron Maher said connections were so pleased with the first-up run of star Trelawney Stud bred mare Pride Of Jenni (Pride Of Dubai) in Saturday’s Gr.1 All-Star Mile that they wouldn’t shy away from a clash with the unbeaten star Autumn Glow.
Pride Of Jenni led up and after she was collared half-way down the Flemington straight, she fought back to be beaten narrowly by Tom Kitten and Evaporate in an effort that Maher himself found rousing.
“She was super,” Maher enthused. “They were on her today, but I don’t think she could have gone much quicker. To do that fresh-up she has gone absolutely outstanding.
“She’s fresh up at a mile and she does it the way she does and I thought she was pretty right and where she finished, you’d say she was.
“You’d just like to see her have another length or two on them.
“She’s a completely amazing horse, to do it the way she does it.”
“The competitor in me wouldn’t mind (racing Autumn Glow).”
Maher said three options presented themselves for Pride Of Jenni, one of which may include a race against the unbeaten Autumn Glow.
“I’d say (owner) Tony (Ottobre) would be very keen to race Autumn Glow,” he said. “The competitor in me wouldn’t mind either.”
At this stage, the A$2 million Gr.1 Australian Cup (2000m) in three weeks could be the logical option but Maher said he would also consider races in Sydney.
“There are three options for her. There’s the Australian Cup, the mares’ race (Queen Of The Turf) and the Queen Elizabeth.”
The Australian Cup is run on March 28 while the Gr.1 Doncaster Handicap (1600m) is on April 4 with the Gr.1 Queen Of The Turf (1600m) a week later.