By Ray Hickson
A second win of group 1 in Randwick on Saturday would be the cherry at the top of what coach Ciaron Maher sees as a breakthrough campaign for Jimmysstar.
Ciaron Maher (Image: Bradley Photos).
A year ago, he was a problem child who had been looking for controversy when he was conflicted in three consecutive starts, but he was grown up in the spring and saw Maher how he further improved.
From his Oakleigh plate, who wins fresh to his fourth place in the TJ Smith Stakes two weeks ago, the gelding is the first shelf and Maher hopes that in group they will continue 1 1.5 million US dollars (1400 m).
“He is a ripper horse and had a fantastic preparation,” said Maher about sen.
“He won his first group 1, he was on the weight for age and led a slasher (in the Mooneee Valley), and he went to the TJ and ran huge again.
“He has just gone to a completely different level. Fourth run, 1400 m, a enormous track looks very good on paper and Jimmy is in great order.”
The five-year-old, 6 US dollars with Tab on Friday, won up to 1500 m and was a stakehold winner over 1400 m in October.
The start was what Jimmysstars didn't support in the TJ.
Just when the gates opened, he was on his bouncing and gave valuable soil in a race that was suitable for the closer to the speed.
He stormed 32.76 (Punter's intelligence) for his last 600 m, the fastest of the meeting to beat Briadsa 1-1/2 lengths, and Maher said he would not be that far back this time.
“He ran home faster than on the Oakleigh plate, so he is certainly in a good place,” he said.
“It was a bit of a shame in the end, the goal was to land a little closer, but with his antics at the beginning it brought him out of this dispute.
“You would think 1400 m would suit him, he would be a little closer and better and the same disappoint.”
In the external barrier, the prospects of State Visit in the group 1 million Moet & Chandon Champagne Stakes (1600 m) are a little tricky, but Maher sees no reason to refuse his chance.
The vice champion of the Inglis Sires two weeks ago kept the Colt well with its first preparation.
“He improved every run and I was quite interested in his chances when he was narrowly beaten by Vinrock,” said Maher.
“If you are deep in your first preparation, you don't want to go too many, but he certainly did not show us any signs.
“His family tree would indicate that a mile would be directly on its distance range, but it is in good condition and has a good turn.”
The jury is on whether the group 1 Royal Merchant's winner can return in group 3 $ 250,000 Tab Hall Mark Stakes (1200 m) before they are sold.
Her last victory in Wyong in December 2023 with a placement in Nivison in spring has been her best effort since then.
Maher said she had a lot of time and it is up to her to produce on race day.
Jimmysstar will be fourth in Randwick on April 5th
“Older mares that have lost a bit of their shape are always nervous when they come back,” he said.
“I think she is in a good place and has appeared well. It is exactly when the pressure comes on her. You want you to do it.”
Ciaron Maher on Miss Alexis (Race 3): “I had hoped to sneak a little black guy with her, but the race looks very chic. It has reached the last start well and the Oaks of Oueensland will be her goal.”
With RAF attack (Race 10): “We will probably only ride to meet the line. He has prepared very well and I think he will make a nice preparation.”
All fields, shape and repetitions for all aged missions in Randwick
