The moment Maher knew Pride Of Jenni was on

It took Ciaron Maher only seconds to know Pride Of Jenni (Pride Of Dubai) was back to her best in last weekend’s Gr.2 Hollindale Stakes (1800m), with the champion trainer now setting his sights on the Gr.1 Doomben Cup (2000m).

The iron mare registered her first win of the campaign in the Hollindale Stakes, beating a classy field in her customary front-running style under a perfectly judged ride from Declan Bates.

And according to Maher, it did not take long after the gates opened to realise the mare was on song.

“I was rapt from the first stride, really — she just bounced into the bridle and I thought, ‘Well, we’re on today,’” Maher said.

“And Dec, as he does, got the fractions pretty right, and it was all smooth sailing. It was good to see her back to her best.

“She presented in great order and she had a few things in her favour. A good track on the Gold Coast, and she was on. When she’s like that, she’s hard to beat.

“It seems the more doubters she has, the better she goes.”

The Gr.1 Doomben Cup is now her remaining target this winter, and Maher said he would look to keep her relatively fresh in the lead-up — a formula that has worked well of late.

“She doesn’t have to do much, it’s only a shorter turnaround,” he said.

“If she presents the same, she should give them something to catch again.”