News

Pride of Jenni, Bella Nipotina star as mares take the glory

4th Nov 2023

A pair of Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained Pride of Dubai mares shared the glory at Flemington and Rosehill today as Pride of Jenni and Bella Nipotina won the G1 Empire Rose Stakes and $3m Giga Kick Stakes respectively.

At Flemington, a daring front-running ride by jockey Declan Bates saw 6YO Pride of Jenni score a remarkable win in the Empire Rose, a race where she was up to 10 lengths in front at one stage.

Even at the clock tower Pride of Jenni was six lengths ahead of her nearest rival and held on to score a heart-stopping first G1 win.

Pride of Jenni is raced by Cape Schank Stud’s Tony and Lynn Ottobre and their family, who purchased her for $100,000 at the Classic Yearling Sale where she was offered by Segenhoe Stud.

Many of Ottobre's fillies are named Jenni in part, in honour of their daughter who passed away in 2015.

Bred by Brent and Cherry Taylor of Trelawney Stud and the Taylor Family Trust, Pride of Jenni (pictured) becomes the 85^th G1-winning Inglis graduate since 2018.

“Tony and Lynn put a lot into the game, to get a Group 1 with this mare, she’s knocked on the door that many times so it’s absolutely fantastic,’’ Maher said.

“It’s a long straight but I knew she had a good break and I know she’s very tough and resilient and her fitness levels were very high which they needed to be.

“It was a daring ride but I’m just rapt that it’s paid off.’’

At Rosehill, Bella Nipotina scored a courageous and deserving win in the Giga Kick Stakes, picking up a staggering $3.645m in prizemoney and bonuses for the victory.

Already a G1 winner of last year’s Manikato Stakes at Moonee Valley, the consistent Bella Nipotina had been all around the money this preparation, finishing third at each of her three runs prior to today in the G3 Concorde Stakes, G2 Premiere Stakes and G3 Sydney Stakes.

But a patient ride from Craig Williams saw her score a thrilling victory today, squeezing through a late gap to get her head down right on the line when it mattered most.

Not only did she claim the $1.725m first-prize cheque, Bella Nipotina also scored a $1.25m bonus for winning the Racing NSW Sprint Series and a $700,000 bonus for racing on Everest Day and winning the Giga Kick Stakes.

Trained by Ciaron Maher and David Eustace, Bella Nipotina was purchased by Andrew Williams, Mount Hallowell Stud and Lindsay Park for $80,000 out of the Rosemont Stud draft at the 2019 Premier Yearling Sale.

She is part-owned by her breeder Michael Christian of Longwood Thoroughbred Farm.

Today’s win was the seventh of Bella Nipotina’s career and takes her earnings to almost $8m, a remarkable result for her connections.

“Incredible,’’ co-trainer Eustace said.

“We’re so proud of her and so pleased for the ownership group. We came into the race confident of her really running a massive race, she’s been building and building and building and I’m just so delighted for the owners.’’

The Gigi Kick Stakes is the 75^th $1m+ race won by an Inglis graduate since 2018.

Part-owner Christian, who was trackside at Rosehill to witness today’s victory, added: “She’s a superstar.

“What an incredible day. I haven’t missed a Derby Day in 30 years but with all the prizemoney on offer at Rosehill today we just had to run her here and come and watch.

“She deserves everything she gets, she tries so hard and never gives in and got the bob down when it counted today again.’’

Bella Nipotina is nominated for the Hong Kong International Sprint at Sha Tin in December and a decision on whether she travels abroad will be made in coming weeks.

Also at Rosehill Wild Planet (Animal Kingdom) scored a tough win in the $750,000 Rosehill Gold Cup.

It was a seventh career win for Wild Planet, a $280,000 Easter Yearling Sale buy for Andrew Williams and his trainers Hawkes Racing from the Arrowfield Stud draft.

He has now earned $1.5m in prizemoney.

And at Flemington Kaizad (Capitalist) relished the step up to a mile for the first time, scoring an all-the-way win in the G3 Carbine Club Stakes.

The 3YO was having just his sixth career start but had no issues at his first attempt at black type, scoring a comfortable win for Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott.

"He’s improved out of all knowledge,'' Waterhouse said.

"He was the most nerdy 2YO, I can’t tell you, but the moment he was gelded he just changed his attitude and has never looked back.

"This is a hard race to win the Carbine Club so I'm really pleased.''

Waterhouse and Bott teamed up with Blueblood Thoroughbreds to purchase the Kitchwin Hills-bred Kaizad for $390,000 at the Classic Yearling Sale, where he was offered by Silverdale Farm.