Racing
League
Rugby
Cricket
Golf
Olympics
Football
Netball
Motorsport
Combat Sports
Basketball
Other Sports
Sport Nation
Full Noise by SN
FIFA World Cup 2026 posterBirdman vs Jenni: How Chris Waller will attack the Doomben Cup
Connor Scanlon • May 22nd, 2026 3:07 pm
Fan favourite Pride Of Jenni returns in the Group 1 Doomben Cup (2000m) on Saturday, fresh off her win in the Hollindale Stakes (1800m).
But up against her is the Chris Waller-trained Birdman, who opened as the favourite with Sportsbet.
The son of Free Eagle ran second to the tough eight-year-old mare in the Hollindale, failing to run the daughter of the Pride Of Dubai down by just 0.8 lengths.
Reflecting on that defeat, Waller admitted that the soft 7 track was a major factor in helping push Jenni over the line against Birdman.
“On that day, it was a soft 7 track. I think that probably played into Jenni's hands a little bit, and it probably played against us a little bit,” Waller told SENTrack & RSN’s Giddy Up.
“But she looked like she was gone at the 200m, but the problem is every other horse was gone at the 200m as well.
“She just sustains it, it's amazing.”
In fact, the champion trainer is actually surprised that Birdman opened as the favourite against Pride Of Jenni in the Doomben Cup.
This is due to the track conditions once again – currently a soft 7 – and Waller is “desperate” for the track to be upgraded to a soft 6.
“Yeah, a little bit (surprised). Yes, I am,” Waller admitted.
“I'll throw in the wet track, like he's not as effective on soft ground. I want it to get back to a soft 6… I'm desperate for it to get back to a 6.
“He's a good chance but the Pride Of Jenni factor - you're not talking about normal form; it's just a different type of race.
“She's just such a good horse, and a different racing style that we're not used to.”
The champion trainer continued by explaining that if all the horses in the field collaborate, then it will be easier for one of the runners to defeat the Ciaron Maher-trained mare.
Waller even went as far to reveal that he will race all three of his horses in the Doomben Cup (Birdman, Asterix and Kovalica) a length more positive than they are regularly run.
“I've said it a couple of times this week already - if all of the other horses work together, it makes it easier to beat her, but if no-one's willing to run the ball up, it makes it hard. And normally I’m not (willing),” stated Waller.
“Half Yours, I would probably have him up a bit closer (if I trained him). I'm hoping that Calvin and Tony (McEvoy) do that because he’s drawn barrier 7. I couldn't see him going back to last, and I couldn't see him getting anywhere else.
“So, I'm hopeful a horse like him, or Grahame Begg's horse (She’s A Hustler), just sort of sits a bit closer (to Pride Of Jenni) because she's just a beauty when she's on her game.
“I'd say all of our horses will be ridden a length more positive than they normally are.”
Pride Of Jenni is now the $3.30 to win this million-dollar race, while Birdman has slightly drifted to $3.60. Cup-double winner Half Yours also looms in the market, being a $3.50 chance to win the Group 1.
Imagine what you could be buying instead. For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au
