Jimmy a potential Star
Trainer Ciaron Maher has heard all the hype surrounding lightly raced Jimmysstar, but is reluctant to push him too far, too early.
Unbeaten in two Australian starts after winning two of his three starts in New Zealand, Jimmysstar is set to make his return at in the Sportsbet Get On Extra Handicap (1400m) at Caulfield on Saturday.
Jimmystsar runs in benchmark 84 grade on Saturday having scored wins in a benchmark 70 at Bendigo and in Class 3 grade at Cranbourne last November.
A four-year-old by Per Incanto, Maher said Jimmysstar had been well-managed by the previous trainers in New Zealand.
“He’s come out here as a four-year-old, with not many miles on the clock,” Maher said.
“He’s a neat horse and they’ve given him time to develop.”
While the temptation may be there to head to a higher grade now with Jimmysstar, Maher wants to make use of his rating in lesser company.
He said later in the preparation, if Jimmysstar’s form warranted it, a race like Group 1 The Doncaster (1600m) at Randwick during the Sydney Autumn Carnival could come on the radar.
“He’s a ratings horse now but you would think that he might be better than that,” Maher said.
“As a three-year-old you can jump up the grades, but as a four-year-old, you have to take it a bit more slowly.
“With any of these progressive horses, those (big) handicap races, if you go the right way, you try to sneak them in.
“There’s a lot of hype about him and he’s in great order, but I’m not going to get too carried away about races like that yet.
“Everything would have to go the right way for him to go there.”
Maher said Jimmysstar shapes as though he will get further than the 1500m that he was successful over at Cranbourne at his most recent start.
“I think he will get a mile, but we’ll kick him off over 1400 metres,” Maher said.
“He’s clean winded, good actioned and I think you could train him for whatever you wanted to.
“I think he’s a horse with a bright future.”
More Racing News
Vein Girl impresses in rich Magic Millions The Debut win
Vein Girl has put herself in contention for next month’s $3 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic with a strong win on debut under lights at the Gold Coast’s first night meeting. The Chris and Corey Munce-trained Vein Girl was sent out the $3.50 favourite with betting sites in Friday night’s $250,000...
Pallaton races into 2025 Golden Slipper contention
Pallaton has stamped himself as a two-year-old colt to watch heading into 2025 with an impressive debut win at Randwick. Trained by Michael Freedman and ridden by Tommy Berry, Pallaton raced to a 2-3/4-length victory in Saturday’s Shinzo @ Coolmore Plate (1000m) and firmed to be among the early favourites in Golden Slipper...
Arriving Home set to target the Magic Millions Guineas 2025
Trainer Bjorn Baker would love to get lightly raced filly Arriving Home into the Magic Millions Guineas next month after the three-year-old remained unbeaten with a tough win at Randwick. Stepping up from a midweek city maiden win at Warwick Farm on debut earlier this month into Saturday’s Petaluma Handicap (1300m) – a...
The Kings horse Gilded Water wins at Randwick
Imported stayer Gilded Water has made it back-to-back victories in Australia and has given his owner, His Majesty King Charles III, a winner at Royal Randwick. The King’s racing manager John Warren was on track at Randwick on Saturday as the Ciaron Maher-trained Gilded Water raced to a convincing victory in the...
Goldman digs deep in the Pakenham Cup 2024
One time Melbourne Cup favourite, Goldman has notched up his fourth win in Australia, leading throughout to take the Listed Pakenham Cup (2500m) under Beau Mertens. Jumping an $8.50 chance, Goldman’s staying prowess was on show as he kicked back to deny Grand Pierro ($19) by a long head, with $3.30 betting site...
Here To Shock gives Lindsay Park quinella in The Supernova
Ben, Will & Jd Hayes had the numbers two and three seed to knock off race-favourite Nadal in Saturday’s $1 million The Supernova (1400m) at Pakenham and did just that, with Here To Shock, ridden by Daniel Stackhouse, edging stablemate Arkansaw Kid in a thrilling stable quinella. Here To Shock ($4.60) trailed a strong...
Kevin Daffy happy to wait with Oh Too Good ahead of VOBIS Gold Bullion
Trainer Kevin Daffy says there is still plenty of time to chase the big league with his lightly-raced mare Oh Too Good. A winner of four of her seven starts with three runner-up finishes as well, Oh Too Hard runs in the VOBIS Gold Bullion (1400m) at Pakenham on Saturday. Daffy was sounded...
Bedggood chases rich The Supernova prize
Two rising nine-year-olds, both resuming, will give Gavin Bedggood a potential shot at his biggest payday as a trainer. A former jockey, Bedggood has been plying his trade as a trainer since 2017 and during the recent Melbourne Spring Carnival prepared Mornington Glory to land his first Group 1 success. Just Folk and Windstorm, both...
Collett hoping for Dream Brisbane raid in BJ McLachlan Stakes and Magic Millions Falvelon
A pair of promising two-year-olds from the Ciaron Maher stable have lured top Sydney hoop Jason Collett to Queensland for back-to-back meetings this weekend. Collett is heading north to partner filly Life After Love in the $250,000 Magic Millions The Debut (1000m) at the Gold Coast on Friday night and her Maher-trained stablemate...
Theodore aims to keep strike-rate going in Christmas Cup at Murray Bridge
Trainer Stephen Theodore is looking to Divine Fire keeping his impressive strike-rate going when she shoots for a winning hat-trick on Saturday. After victories at Morphettville and Gawler, Divine Fire runs in the Christmas Cup (1600m) at Murray Bridge with Jacob Opperman in the saddle. Since returning to training ranks at the start of...