Image: Colin Bull
Trainer Lucy Yeomans reached a major career milestone in Geelong on Saturday as Jenni The Fox stormed home to claim the Listed Black Pearl Stakes (1200m), giving Yeomans her first stakes victory since striking out on her own.
The breakthrough success came just months after Yeomans launched her solo training operation, with the victory following a well-timed decision by owner Tony Ottobre to return the mare to work after a short break.
Jenni The Fox had finished twelfth in The Supernova in mid-December, but Ottobre felt she was ready to return, a call that Yeomans said turned out to be perfect.
“That’s the great thing about training for Tony; he knows these horses so well,” said Yeomans. “I would think I know her better than anyone, but I think Tony rivals me for that.”
Having previously trained in partnership with Lloyd Kennewell, Yeomans began training independently at the start of the season and has now prepared four winners from just 17 runners – all owned by Ottobre.
“I can’t believe it. There are too many people to thank. It’s clear that Tony and Elise, my right hand, delivered this horse today in pristine condition,” Yeomans said.
Yeomans admitted that the victory was the result of detailed preparation, along with a lot of self-imposed pressure.
“I did all my own track work and absolutely cooked myself, thinking about everything,” she said. “But on Tuesday I galloped this horse and she absolutely flew.
“My partner Blake (Shinn) was there to clock me and the tracker showed her recovery was better than ever.”
Black Pearl’s victory has opened the door for a possible attack in Queensland, with the Magic Millions Fillies and Mares Classic (1400m) on January 17 now under consideration.
“She used to be a very valuable mare, but now she is even more valuable,” said Yeomans. “We’re not going to force anything. We’ll let her go home, let the dust settle and, if she pulls up well, there will be a flight for her on Tuesday – but no pressure.”
Jenni The Fox’s victory also capped a strong day for jockey Tom Stockdale, who completed a double on the Geelong card with an earlier victory aboard Darkbonee.
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