The Ciaron Maher and Dave Eustace-trained Pride of Jenni has caused a boilover for the second time in a week after leading all the way to win the $3 million Champions Mile at Flemington.
It was a similar story in the Group 1 Empire Rose Stakes on Derby Day last weekend, with jockey Declan Bates pulling off a daring front-running ride to win at 30/1 odds.
Fast-forward seven days and Bates was again able to steer Pride of Jenni to another all-the-way win, this time at 16/1 odds.
Named after owner Tony Ottobre’s late daughter Jennifer, Pride of Jenni has now won five races from 25 starts and earned over $2 million in prizemoney.
Watch Champions Stakes day coverage LIVE with RACING.COM on Kayo Sports. Join now and start streaming instantly >
“As a family it just bonds us and makes us stronger and with our horses,” an emotional Ottobre told Channel 10.
“I’m so grateful to the animals for helping us get through what we’ve had to get through.”
“I believe Jenni was riding her,” Lynn Ottobre added.
Cox Plate runner-up Mr Brightside finished second with Alligator Blood and Fangirl third and fourth respectively.
Meanwhile, Kiwi mare Imperatriz staked her claim for the title of world’s best sprinter after defeating a hot field in Saturday’s $3 million Champions Sprint.
“All hail the sprint queen,” Racing.com’s Nigel Carmody after Imperatriz held off the fast finishing Buenos Noches.
Godolphin mare In Secret was no match for the first two but wasn’t far away in third.
The Champions Sprint win is Imperatriz’s third Group 1 win in Melbourne this spring.
The Chris Waller-trained Atishu took out the final Group 1 race of the day in the Champions Stakes, with jockey James McDonald collecting his third feature of the Flemington carnival.
Atishu, who finished second to Pride of Jenni in the Empire Rose Stakes a week ago, let down with a dazzling finish. Duais finished second with roughie Young Werther bursting through the pack late to nab third.
“She deserved it didn’t she after a phenomenal run last week,” McDonald said.
Discussion about this post