Connections of Jimmysstar (NZ) (Per Incanto) are considering not one, but two clashes in spring with the world’s highest-rated sprinter, Ka Ying Rising (NZ) (Shamexpress), with a chance the All Aged Stakes winner could target the Hong Kong Sprint at the end of the year.
Jimmysstar is confirmed as being on his way for a spell after making it a second G1 victory for the autumn last Saturday at Randwick, with connections now aiming up at Ka Ying Rising in October’s The Everest, before a possible trip to Hong Kong for a return bout in the premier sprint race in early December.
Managing part-owner Ozzie Kheir said on Thursday that Jimmysstar will not run in any of Brisbane’s three G1 sprints this winter, with a mind to what lies ahead in spring.
“Jimmysstar will go for a well-earned break,” Kheir said on Thursday. “Although tempting to head to Brisbane in peak form, as an ownership group in discussion with Ciaron (Maher), we all decided the break now would set him up best for a spring campaign.
“He will target The Everest and that potentially leaves the door open for a Hong Kong road trip if all went well.
“Jimmysstar has come through his run in great order. Will head to the paddock after a light autumn of four runs and will continue to develop as he’s definitely been a slow-maturing type.”
Jimmysstar is currently rated the early favourite with bookmakers for the Queensland G1 sprint treble this winter of the Doomben 10,000 (1200m), Kingsford Smith Cup (1300m) and Stradbroke Handicap (1400m).
The former Kiwi galloper has risen to be a genuine G1 horse this autumn after four runs, which yielded G1 wins in the Oakleigh Plate and All Aged Stakes, as well as close-up finishes in the G1 William Reid Stakes (third) and T.J. Smith Stakes (fourth).
His domestic rating has gone from 103 prior to the Oakleigh Plate to sit at 115 after last Saturday’s brilliant performance at Randwick.
Consideration will be given to keeping Jimmysstar fresh for his Everest conquest.
No horse has ever won an Everest first-up, but Jimmysstar’s fresh record is remarkable. Since making his debut with a second placing in a maiden in New Zealand in December 2022, he has won all five first-up runs.
A winner of his past 11 starts in Hong Kong and with an international rating of 125, Ka Ying Rising takes centre stage again on Sunday at Sha Tin when he takes on the Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1200m) as the odds-on favourite.
