Even with the William Reid Stakes at Moonee Valley, Jimmysstar was primed to start his campaign there, yet the Ciaron Maher operation is content with Caulfield hosting duties this year.
Saturday’s $1 million feature relocates to Caulfield while renovations keep The Valley offline.
Jimmysstar has competed six times on the Caulfield track, winning five, with standout Group 1 results in the Oakleigh Plate (1100m) and Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m).
Two trial victories have sharpened the Per Incanto six-year-old for his return, as Ciaron Maher’s assistant Jack Turnbull looks forward to deploying him soon.
“The William Reid is here at Caulfield, which is his favourite track,” Turnbull said.
“He’s had a faultless prep and his trials are obviously there to be seen.
“It would be nice to think he’s come back better – he doesn’t need to – but he tries, he’s very competitive and he’s clearly a very good horse.”
Jimmysstar resumes after his third Group 1 success in the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes, and while he excels at 1400m in Australia, the weight-for-age 1200m fresh suits perfectly according to Turnbull.
“He won the Oakleigh Plate here, but that was as a younger horse and he had no weight,” he said.
“Now as a mature horse, effectively he is a ‘seven furlong’ (1400m) horse, but he’s so brilliant and fresh over six (furlongs) he can really rip.”
The William Reid Stakes attracted 15 entries, including Jimmysstar and teammate Benedetta for Maher.
Flemington straight course hosted Benedetta’s pair of starts this prep, yielding third in the Black Caviar Lightning and sixth in the Newmarket Handicap, runs Turnbull calls valiant amid tough fields.
“She’s been running bold races against some very good horses,” he said.
“She’s obviously going back to weight-for-age, but she deserves her place as well.”
A talented group of 10 Group 1 winners supplements the Maher pair, including Baraqiel, Charm Stone, Devil Night, Jigsaw, Lady Shenandoah (doubtful), Magic Time, Skybird, Tropicus and Angel Capital.
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