Despite a potentially altered Spring Carnival program this year, Jimmysstar is expected to start his campaign from a familiar position.
The explosive gelding, trained by Ciaron Maher, will undertake his first trial of the season over 900 metres at Warwick Farm on Tuesday morning.
Last season, the son of Per Incanto made his debut at the trials on August 7, which was followed by a second trial before his resumption in the Concorde Stakes (1000m) and a subsequent run in the $20 million The Everest (1200m).
Whether the seven-year-old will compete in the world’s richest sprint again this year remains to be seen. His 2026 preparation is scheduled to commence in the 1400-metre Group 1 Memsie Stakes at Caulfield on August 29.
Jimmysstar competed right through until the Group 1 Kingsford Smith Cup (1300m) on May 30 in his previous preparation. Jack Turnbull, national assistant trainer for Maher, noted that a longer option seems more suitable as a first-up target this year.
“He only had a short break and has been in work, so he looks spot on,” Turnbull said.
“Coming back off that break with residual at 14 (hundred metres) being an older horse could really be the right recipe.
“If he’s on song, which he should be and the trial will tell us a little bit more as well, then it looks like a nice kick-off point for him.”
Jimmysstar is currently sharing the $8 third line in betting for the Memsie Stakes, behind the prominent mare Sheza Alibi ($2) and Angel Capital ($6).
The Memsie Stakes will be instrumental in determining Jimmysstar’s spring pathway, with the $5 million Group 1 King Charles III Stakes, scheduled for October 17 – the same day as The Everest – being a potential target.
He is one of several stars slated to appear at Warwick Farm. In Trial No 3, he will face rivals including Golden Slipper winner Guest House, Spring Champion Stakes winner Attica, and the talented filly Chayan, who was recently acquired by Coolmore for $5.6 million.
Stablemates Tempted and Another Wil are scheduled to compete in the preceding 900m trial, which also includes Marhoona and Birdman. Concurrently, Light Infantry Man and Gringotts will be up against Chris Waller’s stars Aeliana, Beiwacht, Buckaroo, Campione D’Italia, and Fireball in the opening 1000m trial.
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