Trainer Ciaron Maher has been waiting for the right opportunity to introduce blinkers to Jimmysstar’s racing gear.
That opportune moment has now arrived, with Jimmysstar scheduled to race in blinkers for the first time in the Group 1 Manikato Stakes over 1200 metres at Caulfield on Sunday.
Jimmysstar trialled successfully in the headgear on September 14 and was seen wearing blinkers during a gallop at Caulfield on Tuesday morning under race jockey Ethan Brown.
“I’ve thought about it for a while,” Maher said.
“His work isn’t the easiest to interpret, but he tends to settle into his stride during a trial. It was hard to make a definitive judgement on his last start, whether it was Angel Capital leaning on him or another factor, but I was certainly very pleased with him heading into that race, and I’m definitely happy with him heading into this one. I think they can only help him, but if he can get the right run, that will be more significant, especially if he can get to the outside and unleash as we know he can.”
Jimmysstar resumed with what many considered an underwhelming performance in the Group 1 Memsie Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on August 29, finishing ninth behind Beiwacht.
Maher reported that Jimmysstar has thrived since that run and has not given up hope that the gelding could be a contender in The Everest at Randwick next month.
Jimmysstar finished third to Ka Ying Rising in last year’s edition of The Everest.
“The key is how the horse is performing, and he has come forward since his first-up run,” Maher stated. “He was very good in The Everest last year, and we’ll certainly be keen to look at that again, providing he is in the right form. He did it the tough way last year and was very strong, so hopefully, he runs back to form and we’re having those discussions.”
Jimmysstar has drawn barrier eight in the 13-horse field for Sunday’s race.
The rail is out to the 13-metre mark on Sunday, which is not ideal for a Group 1 contest.
“To have the rail out this far is probably not what everyone wants, especially with Jimmy,” Maher commented. “But they could make ground on Saturday, and if they can make ground again, it should not be a worry. Everyone is hoping for a fair track, I guess.”
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