13 ECHOES OF THE PAST ABOVE: Declan Bates and Pride Of Jenni after leading all the way in the 2023 Champions Mile. (Morgan Hancock/Racing Photos) Both Small and Bates agree that their respective mounts were a pleasure to ride, as all they had to do was rate their horse in front and then they would largely do the rest. Even experts in equine health are at a loss to explain why horses like Vo Rogue and Pride Of Jenni have the constitution and ability to master a racing style that so few horses have. Could their endurance stem from a similar trait of another famous mare, Makybe Diva? One veterinarian suggested that Makybe Diva’s three Melbourne Cup victories were aided by her “huge lungs and an ever-so-slow heartbeat that helped her racing style no end when it came to the endurance of races over two miles.” Whatever it is, all eyes will be on the TAB Australian Cup, a race that Leigh Jordon, Executive General Manager – Racing says will be a ‘titanic battle’. “As well as Pride Of Jenni, we have the cream of Australia’s most brilliant weightfor-age horses chasing her. “It will be one of the most compelling 2000m races of the autumn and a battle of endurance. “Sadly, because of injury Gold Trip will not be in the race. He would have certainly relished a hard run 2000m at Flemington.” We can only hope that it is as incredible as that 1988 edition of the race after which even the trainer of the winner heaped praise on the freakish Vo Rogue. “I was fortunate to have seen Phar Lap as a young man, and I must say, I think Vo Rogue was the next best horse,” Jim Cerchi said. Such accolades highlight Vo Rogue’s stature in racing history, a position that Pride Of Jenni could ascend to if she emerges victorious in the 2024 TAB Australian Cup.
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