Jimmysstar (NZ) (Per Incanto) will follow the successful path of former stablemate Bella Nipotina (Pride Of Dubai) into October’s A$20 million The Everest (1200m), with the dual Group One winner to begin his spring campaign in Sydney on Saturday.
Trainer Ciaron Maher on Monday confirmed Jimmysstar’s spring will begin on Saturday in the $1 million Gr.3 Concorde Stakes (1000m) Randwick, which would allow the horse two prep runs before The Everest on October 18.
After the Concorde, it is planned Jimmysstar will run in the $1 million Gr.2 Premiere Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on October 4.
“I was toying with whether to kick him off in this race or in two weeks’ time but just the way he’s prepped up, it would be a similar preparation to what Bella did,” Maher told Racing.com.
“He can run here, and then in the Premiere, and then two weeks into The Everest.”
Maher said he expected racing fans have not yet seen the best of the former New Zealander.
“It was a real breakout prep last campaign – in four Group Ones, he was able to secure two and wasn’t too far away in the other two,” he said.
“I feel he’s got a bit more to come, and he’s certainly trialled up in good order.
“You can just ride him where he’s comfortable and let him hit the line as we know that he will improve off that first-up run.
“He likes that little bit of freshness on his side too, so the aim will be a couple of prep runs and then hopefully have him right to go.”
Jimmysstar was bred by Wairarapa couple Pete and Chrissy Algie in partnership with Masterton’s Little Avondale Stud.
Stud proprietors Sam and Dame Catriona Williams along with the Algies remain in the ownership of the star galloper.