Pride of Jenni the main attraction in King Charles III Stakes

One of the races that has generated great expectations on the Everest card at Royal Randwick in Australia is the Group 1, $3.3 million King Charles III Stakes, a one-mile race for 3-year-olds and up that goes as the ninth race of 10. The field of 12 is topped by Pride of Jenni, Australia’s Horse of the Year for 2023-24.

Pride of Jenni became internationally known for her astonishing performance April 13 in the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes at 1 1/4 miles The 7-year-old mare shot to the front and ran away by more than 30 lengths at the halfway point of the race, allowing her to maintain a lead that at the end was 6 1/2 lengths. Declan Bates will once again be in the saddle for the Ciaron Maher trainee who will try to impose her speed at Royal Randwick.

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Fangirl, another mare, figures to be Pride of Jenni’s main threat. A 6-year-old trained by Chris Waller and ridden by star jockey James McDonald, Fangirl has nine wins from 27 starts. Among her victories are three Group 1 races, including last year’s King Charles III Stakes.

A distant third choice in the race will be Ceolwulf, a 4-year-old winner of three of his 12 starts to date. He will be ridden by Chad Schofield for trainer Joseph Pride. Ceolwulf is fresh off a win in the Group 1 TAB Epsom on Oct. 5 at Royal Randwick.

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The rest of the lineup includes Pericles, My Oberon, Lion’s Roar, Major Beel, New Energy, Celestial Legend, Tom Kitte, Zougotcha, and Amelia’s Jewel. Post time for the King Charles III is 2:35 a.m Eastern on Saturday.

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