Jimmysstar collects the cash in 2025 Russell Balding Stakes
Jimmysstar ($2.50F) confirmed his rising reputation in Sydney with an emphatic victory in the $3,000,000 Russell Balding Stakes, just two weeks after his impressive showing in The Everest.
The Ciaron Maher-trained sprinter jumped cleanly, settled midfield along the fence, and saved every inch of ground before exploding into the clear and pulling away to win by a widening margin. Lady Shenandoah ($6.50) produced a game chase, while Mazu ($26) boxed on to finish third.
This preparation, the stable has focused on teaching the gelding to be more positionally versatile, rather than relying solely on his swooping finish.
Stable representative Johann Gerard-Dubord said that training adjustment has paid off.
“Obviously his biggest asset is his turn of foot, we tried to train that this prep and we found out in The Everest,” Gerard-Dubord said.
“His run in The Everest was good and to back it up two weeks later after such a big run, it’s never easy to do but he’s such a tough horse.
He just keeps getting better.”
On top of the prize money, Jimmysstar secured an additional $1.7 million in Racing NSW bonus incentives tied to participation in the Russell Balding Stakes series.
Winning jockey Ethan Brown said the horse continues to amaze him.
“I love this horse so much, he’s a beauty,” Brown said.
“He was entitled to feel the pinch off the last run but Ciaron just guided him through to this race and he performed like it was his grand final.”
Asked whether the big cheque might allow him to purchase property in Sydney’s coastal hotspots, Brown stayed realistic.
“Maybe a deposit,” he smiled.
As for the immediate future, the stable will monitor the gelding before locking in a decision regarding a quick turnaround into next week’s Group 1 Champions Sprint at Flemington.
“He deserves a spell, but we’ll have to see how he pulls up,” Gerard-Dubord said.
“We did that with Bella (Nipotina) last year, it’s not out of the equation.”
He remains on the $8 line in early markets ahead of the sprint feature.
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