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Pride Of Jenni thrills at Moonee Valley, while Team Hawkes do the Makarena at Rosehill

28th Sep 2024

Two quality mares staked their Spring claims in an action packed 24 hours of racing, with Pride of Jenni winning the G2 Feehan Stakes at Moonee Valley last night and progressive mare Makarena victorious in the G2 Golden Pendant at Rosehill Gardens today.

Connections of Makarena (Snitzel) have long known that she was capable of winning in high-class company and today the 4YO mare broke through in Stakes company for the first time in the valuable 1400m race for fillies and mares.

A $250,000 buy for Hawkes Racing from the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale, when offered by her breeder Arrowfield Stud, Makarena had demonstrated her significant talent when winning the $500,000 Tapp-Craig over the same course and distance little less than 12 months ago.

“She really showed her true colours today,” co-trainer Michael Hawkes said post-race of his charge, who has now earned $755,750 in prizemoney.

“We’ve always had a really high opinion of her, it was all about getting her into a rhythm today.

“Last start [in the G2 Sheraco Stakes] nothing really went well for her, she just wanted to chase… she’s still learning and had a bit of a look around today when she got to the front.

“She’s only second up so she’s in for a really nice prep and she’s got that Group win under her belt that we wanted.

“The ownership group, Gary and Chris [Lechte] are here, mum’s at home, Clare and Jane [Hawkes], it’s just a family effort,” said Hawkes, who nominated races like the $2m Invitation at Randwick and the $10m Golden Eagle back at Rosehill as potential upcoming targets.

Also at Rosehill, Amor Victorious (Caravaggio) led from barrier to post in the G2 Shannon Stakes in the Darby Racing Syndications silks, with jockey Tyler Schiller overcoming a slipped saddle at the start of the 1500m race.

It’s the 5YO gelding’s sixth career victory in just 15 starts and his first at Stakes level, which sees his earnings surpass the $578,000 mark.

Bred by Fieldhouse Partnership, Amor Victorious was offered by Bhima Thoroughbreds at the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale, where he was bought by Darby Racing and Will Johnson Bloodstock for $180,000.

Today’s win puts him right into contention for the $2 million Five Diamonds on November 19.

At Moonee Valley last night, the world’s highest-rated racemare Pride Of Jenni (Pride Of Dubai) returned to the winners stall in the G2 Feehan Stakes (1600m), with a thrilling galloping spectacle that had the huge crowd cheering from the 800m mark.

Her sheer toughness and ability to run the midrace sectionals at a brutal pace, made it impossible for her opposition to catch her.

Owners Tony and Lynn Ottobre, as well as trainer Ciaron Maher and longtime strapper Sammie Waters, (pictured) were in awe of their special mare.

“I’m just so happy for everybody to have witnessed what they did, they came to expect something like that and it was rewarded,” Tony Ottobre said.

“When the crowd roared as Declan sent her forward and she found a few lengths, it made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up, what incredible theatre.

“If you love racing you live for moments and races like this.

“Ciaron, Declan (Bates) and the whole team have done an amazing job, especially her strapper Sammie Waters, without her Pride Of Jenni wouldn’t be where she is today, there is a connection there between them.”

Ciaron Maher agreed, “Unbelievable. This is what’s racing is all about nights like this."

“The atmosphere here tonight here is electric, I’m just rapt to have her back,” Maher said.

An emotional Sammie Waters was moved to tears post-race.

“I thought she was home a long way out, she’s just very special, “Waters said.

“She’s the ultimate professional… she’s amazing.”

Tony Ottobre – who admitted to being more nervous than usual ahead of last night’s race – confirmed the $5 million G1 King Charles III on October 19 and the G1 W.S. Cox Plate remained Pride Of Jenni’s Spring targets.

“The W.S. Cox Plate is a goal, I’m after the King Charles but we want to back up with the Cox Plate [a week later] which is something we did similar last year, we went back-to-back in a G1.”

“I don’t think she’s any different from last year and I think she can probably do it again this year but you need luck with racing and hopefully it comes our way when it’s our turn,” Ottobre said.

Pride Of Jenni was purchased at the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale by Tony and Lynn Ottobre’s Cape Schanck Stud for $100,000.

The 7YO mare was bred by Trelawney Stud and offered at Inglis Classic by Segenhoe Stud.

On the topic of brilliant mares, G1-winning filly Autumn Angel (The Autumn Sun) is being offered for public auction in a boutique Inglis Digital Online Sale, with bidding to open at 9am Monday, September 30.

The final countdown of bidding will begin from 4pm Tuesday, October 1.

To view her listing, CLICK HERE.

To view the Autumn Angel feature video, which includes comments from co-trainer Peter Moody, CLICK HERE.