Fangirl And Pride Of Jenni Renew King Charles

Champion Mares Lead Star-Studded Randwick Clash

Fangirl will renew her rivalry with Pride Of Jenni when the champion mares clash in the A$5 million (US$3.3 million) Gr.1 King Charles III Stakes over 1609 metres at Royal Randwick on Everest Day. The Chris Waller trained mare won the inaugural running of the race in 2023, whilst her rival finished runner-up to Ceolwulf twelve months ago when going down by three-quarters of a length in a thrilling finish.

The race, formerly known as the George Main Stakes until its renaming in 2023 to honour His Majesty King Charles III, has become the world's richest weight-for-age 1600 metre contest. Total prize money stands at A$5 million (US$3.3 million), with the winner collecting A$2.95 million (US$1.94 million).

This year's renewal features a remarkable storyline with all four horses that contested the quinella in the first two runnings returning for another attempt at glory. The defending champion Ceolwulf, who made history as the first horse to complete the Epsom Handicap and King Charles III Stakes double, will attempt to join the elite club of back-to-back winners alongside legendary performers Kingston Town, who achieved the feat in 1981 and 1982.

Waller Confident Fangirl Can Handle Frontrunner

The 7YO daughter of Sebring arrives at Randwick boasting an outstanding record at the venue with nine of her 12 career wins coming at the track. Having drawn barrier eleven, Fangirl comes into the contest off a confidence-boosting victory over Lindermann.

Chris Waller is comfortable with the presence of bold frontrunner Pride Of Jenni in the field. "We know about Pride Of Jenni now," Waller said. "We know not to let her out of our sights. If you let Pride Of Jenni out of our sights, you won't get past her. Fangirl is a great mare and a mile is her right distance."

Fangirl has clashed with Pride Of Jenni three times previously, beating her home only once in last year's Cantala Stakes at Flemington. However, it is Pride Of Jenni's 2024 Queen Elizabeth Stakes victory that still smarts for the champion trainer, with Ciaron Maher's mare establishing a huge mid-race lead to trounce Fangirl's stablemate Via Sistina by more than six lengths.

Pride Of Jenni Chasing Consecutive Victories

The 8YO veteran mare returns to Sydney for the first time in twelve months. Maher concedes it can now be rocks or diamonds with Pride Of Jenni but remains optimistic she can make it back-to-back wins for the first time in almost two years.

Pride Of Jenni resumed with a win in the Gr.2 Feehan Stakes at Moonee Valley, which convinced Maher she had recovered from her forgettable trip to Queensland earlier in the year. "I was a bit dubious first-up because she was a bit heavier than she'd ever been, but she ran just as good and she seems to be in that similar sort of spot," Maher said.

The trainer is realistic about his mare's racing pattern. "There's no in-between, you're either fighting out the finish or you are out the back. That's how those style of horses are, there's no in-between. But I do think she's in a good order."

Pride Of Jenni is chasing back-to-back wins for the first time since she announced herself a star in the 2023 Melbourne Cup Carnival with Group One wins in the Empire Rose Stakes and Champions Mile. She was crowned Australia's Champion Racehorse the following year, thanks largely to her jaw-dropping win in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes over 2000 metres. Pride Of Jenni drew barrier eight and will be partnered by Declan Bates.

Tom Kitten Playing Catch Up Game

Anthony and Sam Freedman believe Tom Kitten is ready to put his best foot forward in the Group One feature despite a frustrating preparation. After being scratched at the barriers in the Gr.1 Memsie Stakes, Tom Kitten has run in the Gr.1 Makybe Diva Stakes and Gr.2 Feehan Stakes, races that Sam Freedman says haven't been run to suit.

"He just needs a big field, a lot of tempo. He should get that, which is, I think, just what he's been lacking in his races so far this prep," Freedman said. "They've all been small fields, tactical races. He's been over-racing a touch, but he feels like he's probably coming right for the right race."

The trainer elaborated on the challenges. "Missing the run in the Memsie, it's had a bit of a knock on effect. We had to trial him again, then he went to the Makybe and they crawled, he was keen. Then he went to the Feehan and they went flat out from the thousand metres. He had to work into the race to get to them, and then he ran out of tickets the last little bit."

Freedman added "His best form he'll be right there, but it's a tough race and on exposed form so far this prep he needs to improve." Tom Kitten will be ridden by Ben Melham from barrier seven.

Lake Forest Adds International Flavour To Field

Lake Forest, trained by William Haggas, adds an international dimension having captured the Golden Eagle. The British-bred galloper will be partnered by star Hong Kong jockey Zac Purton from barrier two.

Mr Brightside, trained by Ben, Will and JD Hayes, brings remarkable consistency having claimed the Makybe Diva Stakes for the third consecutive year. The New Zealand-bred galloper finished runner-up to Fangirl in the inaugural King Charles III Stakes in 2023. Craig Williams takes the ride from barrier twelve.

Joseph Pride, who trains defending champion Ceolwulf, will also saddle El Castello. Ceolwulf produced a breathtaking performance twelve months ago, powering past Pride Of Jenni with an explosive turn of foot in the final strides. Chad Schofield again takes the ride from barrier four, whilst Adam Hyeronimus partners El Castello from barrier nine.

Baker Fielding Strong Hand With Two Contenders

Bjorn Baker is defying convention by pitting 3YO filly Within The Law against some of Australia's most seasoned weight-for-age stars. Within The Law has never raced against horses outside her own age group.

"It's something that hasn't been tried, in recent times anyway, a 3YO filly up against the older horses," Baker said. "It works out with timing. She was a good second in the Flight Stakes which was a relatively slowly run race. It looks to be a truly run race. She is in great order and she's very genuine. It's a tough ask but you've got to be in it to win it."

Lightweight rider Rachel King will partner Within The Law from barrier six. She will carry just 48 kilograms under the weight-for-age conditions.
Josh Parr links with stablemate Pericles from barrier five, whose two starts for Baker have yielded a Tramway Stakes win and solid third in the Epsom Handicap. "I was lucky enough to get a readymade horse off Godolphin and he's been very straightforward," Baker said. "He was very good in the Tramway when he won first up and he was excellent in the Epsom Handicap. The two weeks now into the King Charles, he is perfectly set up."

The pair will form part of a sixteen strong team for Baker, who can't recall having as many runners at a single meeting. "I'm Sydney centric and we focus on Sydney," Baker said. "A lot of what we have been doing has been built around this day."

Also in the field are Royal Patronage, trained by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott with Tim Clark aboard from barrier three, Yellow Brick for Tony and Maddysen Sears ridden by Jason Collett from barrier ten, and Pier representing Darryn and Briar Weatherley with Ethan Brown from barrier one. James McDonald takes the ride on Fangirl from barrier eleven.

The race carries a rich heritage dating back to 1945 when it was known as the George Main Stakes, with legendary mare Winx making history by winning three consecutive editions from 2016 to 2018.

1. Mr Brightside (T: Ben, Will & JD Hayes / J: Craig Williams)
2. Royal Patronage (T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott / J: Tim Clark)
3. Ceolwulf (T: Joseph Pride / J: Chad Schofield)
4. Lake Forest (T: William Haggas / J: Zac Purton)
5. Tom Kitten (T: Anthony & Sam Freedman / J: Ben Melham)
6. Pericles (T: Bjorn Baker / J: Joshua Parr)
7. Yellow Brick (T: Tony & Maddysen Sears / J: Jason Collett)
8. Pier (T: Darryn & Briar Weatherley / J: Ethan Brown)
9. El Castello (T: Joseph Pride / J: Adam Hyeronimus)
10. Fangirl (T: Chris Waller / J: James McDonald)
11. Pride Of Jenni (T: Ciaron Maher / J: Declan Bates)
12. Within The Law (T: Bjorn Baker / J: Rachel King)