Stars align as Maher sprinter earns spot in 2025 The Everest field
All Aged Stakes victor Jimmysstar has secured his place in the $20 million The Everest after the TAB revealed it would use its slot on the Ciaron Maher-trained sprinter.
With this announcement, he joins Ka Ying Rising, T J Smith Stakes champion Briasa, and the exciting Private Harry in the growing Everest field.
Jimmysstar impressed earlier in the year with his Group 1 win at Randwick in the All Aged Stakes (1400m), having already taken out the Oakleigh Plate. He's now on the fourth line of betting at $11.
Maher, who won The Everest in 2023 with Bella Nipotina, is keen to deliver back-to-back wins for the TAB slot.
“Hopefully we can repeat the process,” Maher said on The Big Sports Breakfast.
“He has certainly improved a bit physically from last prep and he had a breakout preparation last time around.
“It’s pretty exciting to get one locked in nice and early for such a big race. We can just plan to have him spot-on for the day.”
Jimmysstar is expected to begin his spring campaign in The Shorts (1100m) at Randwick, leading into The Everest with a trial scheduled in between.
Still, Maher is keeping an eye on Ka Ying Rising, the short-priced favourite trained by his father, David Hayes.
“He’s a world-class horse and he’ll be hard to beat but he’s got to travel over and everything has to go well,” Maher said.
“I probably hope he’s not quite at his best and we’ve improved.”
Meanwhile, Maher's Gosford trials featured several of his top-line horses including Light Infantry Man, Another Wil, and Gringotts. Another Wil and Gringotts will return in the Winx Stakes (1400m), while Light Infantry Man gears up for the
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