Pride Of Jenni won’t be taking her place in the Toorak Handicap at Caulfield with trainer Ciaron Maher advising Racing Victoria stewards that he will not be accepting with the star mare.
Controversy had surrounded her surprise nomination this week as due to her high rating of 122, she was allotted topweight of 59kg, compressing the remainder of the handicaps.
Stewards questioned Maher on Monday over his intentions with Pride Of Jenni and whether the feature mile was a viable option.
He told them it was being genuinely considered, along with the Might And Power Stakes (2000m), also at Caulfield on Saturday, and the King Charles III Stakes (1600m) at Randwick a week later.
The leading trainer contacted stewards again on Tuesday to inform them that following discussions with her owners, they had decided against pursuing the Toorak option.
“Trainer C Maher advised Stewards that after speaking with connections they will not be accepting with Pride Of Jenni in the Toorak,” Racing Victoria stewards said on X.
Exciting Maher-trained gelding Another Wil is a $2.30 betting sites favourite for the Toorak Handicap, one of three Group 1 races on Saturday’s program along with the Caulfield Guineas and Might And Power Stakes.
Meanwhile, star jockey Zac Purton has been granted permission by the Hong Kong Jockey Club to ride Metropolitan winner Land Legend in both the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups.