The sprinter Jimmysstar awaits trainer Ciaron Maher’s final nod for The Championships opener after suffering black eyes twice over in his Caulfield comeback.

Jimmysstar placed seventh as favourite in the March 21 William Reid Stakes (1200m), swallowing turf at the venue.

Prior to entry in Saturday’s TJ Smith Stakes (1200m) at Randwick, Maher seeks a further gallop from the gelding.

Eye injuries cleared up in 48 hours for the speedster, who arrived Sydney last week and trotted lightly Saturday morn.

Maher offered no alibis for the display, describing it as baffling.

Post-Zahra at Caulfield, Ethan Brown reclaims the ride on Jimmysstar should he start in the TJ Smith.

Zahra opts for Tentyris in the Group 1 Saturday sprint.

“We’ll see how he works,” Maher said.

“I don’t really like making excuses, but Mark said he got sort of terrorised. He is a horse that does his own thing a bit, bridles up.

“I didn’t mind him being on the inside, but he jumped, got hit straight out of the barrier. He was wanting to get out, but he got pushed back in and then at the furlong got a decent bump as well.

“I don’t like making excuses and Mark is a pretty straight shooter, and he was like ‘nothing went right’.

“I was very happy going in, but I’m a little bit on the fence (afterwards).”

Jimmysstar reported no other setbacks beyond the eyes, per Maher.

Maher disclosed that Tempted, from the same stable, detours from TJ Smith Stakes to the Arrowfield 3YO Sprint (1200m) at Randwick April 11.

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