Does Pride Of Jenni’s pedigree suggest she will run a strong 2000m?
One of the biggest questions facing punters ahead of Saturday's $3 million Australian Cup at Flemington is whether Pride Of Jenni can extend her brilliance to 2000 metres.
The six-year-old has been a revelation since the start of Melbourne Cup Week, her four runs in that time producing 1600m Group 1 wins in the Empire Rose Stakes and Champions Mile, a narrow second to Mr Brightside in the 1400m C F Orr Stakes before victory in the All-Star Mile.
But her ruthless front-running style has many wondering whether she can be as effective at 2000m.
Pride Of Jenni has had one go at 2000m, in last year's Group 3 JRA Plate at Randwick, when she finished eighth of 14, beaten 8-1/4 lengths on a Heavy 8 track.
Trainer Ciaron Maher doesn't consider that much of a guide and her pedigree page suggests 2000m should be within her scope.
Pride Of Jenni is by Pride Of Dubai, who was a Blue Diamond and ATC Sires' winner at Group 1 level two who never raced beyond 1400m, but Pride Of Dubai is a son of Street Cry.
His most famous product is the legendary Winx, but Street Cry has also produced a Melbourne Cup winner in Shocking.
Pride Of Dubai has also proven himself capable of throwing an elite-level 2000m performer with last year's Group 1 Ranvet Stakes (2000m) and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) winner Dubai Honour one of his sons.
There is also real staying depth to Pride Of Jenni's female side.
Pride Of Jenni is out of Sancerre, who won up to 2200m, albeit in modest grade at Ipswich, but she is a product of a union between O'Reilly and Vouvray.
By Zabeel, Vouvray won the 2004 Queensland Oaks (2400m), ran fourth in the 2004 Caulfield Cup, when Elvstroem and Makybe Diva ran the quinella, while she was third to Makybe Diva and Grand Armee in that season's Tancred Stakes (2400m).
Maher has always been keen to give her another shot at 2000m and thinks now is the time to try.
"She's had one crack at it before, she was on the back-up and is clearly in much better form now," Maher said.
"She ran reasonably well considering how hard she went in that race, but I think she'll run well in anything you put her in the form she is in now.
"It is a bit of a risk, but if you're going to do it, now is the time to do it."
