“If he wants to make a change…”: Maher comments on Ottobre’s Pride Of Jenni jockey call

Pride Of Jenni’s trainer Ciaron Maher has commented on the decision to change jockeys for this weekend’s Champions Mile.

Owner Tony Ottobre made the call to replace Declan Bates during the week, with Ben Melham booked to ride Jenni in the Group 1 race over 1600m at Flemington on Saturday.

Maher didn’t give too much away when commenting on the situation, but it’s safe to say he did sound a little less animated than usual.

“Ahhh yeah, Tony wanted to make a change,” he said on SENTrack’s Giddy Up.

“He knows the game very well and that’s his decision if he wants to make it.

“If he wants to make a change… he can.”

Watch & listen below:

Bates has ridden Pride Of Jenni in 15 of her 34 career starts, including the last 12 straight, and partnered with the mare for all three of her front-running Group 1 wins.

The seven-year-old ran second in the King Charles at Randwick on October 19 before finishing second last in the Cox Plate at The Valley two weeks ago.

Pride Of Jenni is currently the $5 favourite with Sportsbet for the Champions Mile ahead of Mr Brightside, Antino, Fangirl and Broadsiding all on $6 in what promises to be one of the highlights of the spring.

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