Jenni ready to soar in Brisbane

By Craig Brennan and Trent Crebbin

Pride Of Jenni has arrived in Brisbane ready for her tilt at the Doomben Cup.

Off the plane and straight to work for Pride Of Jenni in preparation for the Group 1 Doomben Cup.

Pride Of Jenni arrived in Brisbane on Tuesday night and was given a canter on the treadmill on Wednesday morning as she heads to the Group 1 2000 metre Weight For Age contest at Doomben on Saturday.

Jack Turnbull, assistant trainer for Ciaron Maher, said Pride Of Jenni was a part of a contingent of horses that flew into Brisbane. 

"She travelled up last night and travelled well," Turnbull said.

"She had a big drink and then we worked her on the treadmill this morning, she had a canter and then had a pick.

"It was all very light, but she'll be ridden tomorrow, being Thursday and then it will all be light into the weekend."

Turnbull said the team at Cranbourne had maintained Pride Of Jenni's fitness since her win at Caulfield over 1600 metres earlier in the month.

Two gallops on the treadmill and a gallop under saddle maintained the mare's fitness levels.

"She had two good gallops on the treadmill as that way we can control and monitor what she does," Turnbull said.

"She also had a nice gallop on the Monday which Craig (Newitt) came in for.

"She's at a level of fitness where we do not have to get her fit, just maintain her, and make sure she's in the best form, which we believe she is.

"Everything we see off the tread, off the track, the feel for Craig and off her other rider, it's all very positive and what you need.

"We took blood from her, which was all good, so fingers crossed leading into Saturday morning there's no travel sickness that pops up, which can happen from time to time.

"She's an older mare and has travelled fine."

Turnbull conceded the Doomben Cup will be a different scenario on Saturday with the calibre of horse engaged.

But, from barrier one, he believes Pride Of Jenni is perfectly drawn.

"She's drawn perfectly and if the rain does fall, she's got the wet track form," Turnbull said.

"Her racing pattern, which we all know, makes it on a track like that.

"Antino is drawn out in 11 and they'll have to make a call pretty quick where they land and sit, but Jenni, she's in good shape."

Meanwhile, Adrian Bott has been happy with how Eliyass has come through a tough run in the Group 2 Hollindale Stakes ahead of the Group 1 Doomben Cup on Saturday.

The dual Group 3-winning gelding was beaten before the turn when heavily supported into $4.60 second elect in the Hollindale Stakes on very heavy going, beaten over 20 lengths by Antino.

Bott, who trains in partnership with Gai Waterhouse, said the run wasn't a true guide of Eliyass' ability.

"Eliyass was obviously disappointing at the Gold Coast last start," Bott told SEN track.

"I think it's probably hard to take any true guide or read off that track and conditions on the day [which] unfortunately, he really struggled under.

"But, he worked up well Tuesday morning, he's remained in Queensland. He's come through it in good shape, so I can bank on him being able to bounce back."

Eliyass finished third behind champion mare Via Sistina in the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes during the spring which gives Bott faith his horse is up to the task on Saturday.

"The form through the spring for him has been excellent. So if he can get back to that, he comes right back into calculations," the co-trainer said. 

A natural front runner, Eliyass has drawn the widest barrier in the 13-strong field, in polar opposite to $3.80 second favourite Pride Of Jenni who has drawn barrier one, but with drying conditions in Brisbane this week, Bott is confident in an improved showing.

"I think you have to treat it as a forgive" Bott said.

"Some relished it, but obviously when you're seeing the fields strung out as they are in the margins. That's telling something in what are competitive horses and fields.

"Unfortunately, he was one that didn't handle it, but he's done everything right since."

Bott also gave an update on highly touted import Sir Delius, who won the Group 3 Chairman's Handicap on Saturday.

"He's going to the paddock today," he said. 

"We'll just give ourselves as much time and lead in as possible to run the style of preparation that we'd like everything has been centered around the Melbourne Cup, so we'll stick with that."

Eliyass is a $9 chance for the Doomben Cup with Tim Clark to ride, while Blake Shinn will seek a fourth win in the race when he reunites with Hollindale-winner Antino, who is an early $3.50 favourite after drawing barrier 11.