Jack Turnbull hopes Jennilala does not suffer separation anxiety when she makes her return to racing at Moonee Valley.
Jennilala is the constant companion of Pride Of Jenni in the Ciaron Maher stable with the pair at each other’s side.
Both mares are owned by Tony Ottobre and Jennilala is set to resume in the BoozeBud Handicap (1523m) where she will be joined by stablemates St Lawrence and Holymanz.
“She does a lot of her homework with Pride Of Jenni,” Maher’s assistant trainer Jack Turnbull said of Jennilala.
“They live next to each other, they work to together, they spell together.
“I hope there is no separation anxiety when she leaves to go to the races on Saturday.”
Jennilala has an excellent first-up record, winning on debut at Moonee Valley in October 2022, running second, again at Moonee Valley, winning at Caulfield last October and last campaign over 1400m at Flemington.
“We’re 100 metres more this time, but she’s followed her traditional lead-up regime,” Turnbull said.
“She’s got really good gate speed, so she could bounce, put herself there and she’s got the ability, we know that.”
Turnbull said the Maher stable thought the first-up effort of Holymanz was ‘super’ after finishing sixth behind Gentleman Roy at Flemington on August 3.
“His first-up performance was an improvement of three lengths on our system,” Turnbull said.
“He looks fantastic and has come on since the run.
“He’s up slightly in trip, but we’re working back from a possible Toorak Handicap start, so he’ll have this, and we’ll then look at possibly stepping him up to a Stakes race.”
St Lawrence also holds an acceptance in the Goulburn Cup, a qualifying race for The Big Dance, on Sunday but said the gelding was likely to stay and run at Moonee Valley.
Turnbull said St Lawrence just needed some luck to fall his way.
“He’s consistent, but not a punters friend, unfortunately,” Turnbull said.
“He has been paying his way, but we want a win, however he has been disadvantaged by pace and field position.
“Where we thought he could get the job done, he just hasn’t been able to. He’s got the ability and he’s drawn well and there is a lot of quality, but he’s a chance.”
