Jimmysstar returns to the track at Warwick Farm trials
Ciaron Maher's striking gelding, Jimmysstar, is set to commence his campaign with a familiar starting point, though his Spring Carnival program might present some variations this season.
The Per Incanto gelding will have his first trial of the campaign over 900 metres at Warwick Farm on Tuesday morning.
Last season, Jimmysstar made his initial trial appearance on August 7, which was followed by another hit-out before his first-up run in the Concorde Stakes (1000m) and then a tilt at The Everest (1200m), a race boasting a $20 million prize pool.
It is yet to be determined if the seven-year-old will contest the world's richest sprint again this year. His 2026 preparation is scheduled to commence in the 1400-metre Group 1 Memsie Stakes at Caulfield on August 29.
Jimmysstar concluded his last preparation in the Group 1 Kingsford Smith Cup (1300m) on May 30. According to Jack Turnbull, national assistant trainer for Maher, a longer distance option appears more suitable for his 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."
Currently, Jimmysstar is listed at $8 for the third line in the Memsie Stakes betting, trailing glamour mare Sheza Alibi at $2 and Angel Capital at $6.
The Memsie Stakes will play a role in shaping Jimmysstar's spring campaign, with the $5 million Group 1 King Charles III Stakes, scheduled for October 17, the same day as The Everest, noted as a potential target.
He is one of several notable performers slated for action at Warwick Farm. The field for Trial No 3 includes Golden Slipper winner Guest House, Spring Champion Stakes victor Attica, and the talented filly Chayan, whom Coolmore recently acquired for $5.6 million.
In an earlier 900m trial, stablemates Tempted and Another Wil will compete alongside Marhoona and Birdman. Meanwhile, Light Infantry Man and Gringotts are set to run against Chris Waller's contingent of Aeliana, Beiwacht, Buckaroo, Campione D'Italia, and Fireball in the opening 1000m trial.
Explore the top online bookmakers for the Memsie Stakes and discover competitive racing betting markets.
More Racing News
Weights for the 2026 Melbourne Cup are now public
Dual Melbourne Cup victor Half Yours faces a formidable challenge if he is to claim another title in the iconic race.The stayer prepared by Tony and Calvin McEvoy has been given a handicap of 59kg for this year's Melbourne Cup, marking a 6kg increase on his winning weight from the...
Kingswood primed for Underwood Stakes challenge
The journey for Kingswood has been remarkable since he joined Gavin Bedggood's training establishment.Beginning his racing career in Ireland, Kingswood spent time with Maddie Raymond in Warrnambool before moving to the Bedggood stable in mid-2024. He immediately impressed, winning his initial two starts at Caulfield, including the Coongy Cup (2000m).Fast...
Zakouma's road to the Cups is on track
Trainer Grahame Begg is feeling more at ease with Zakouma now qualified for a Caulfield Cup lead-up event.The six-year-old gelding was initially listed as the second emergency for Saturday's Naturalism Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield, but two horses being scratched has allowed him to gain a start.With a ballot exemption already...
Craig Williams aims for history in Caulfield Group 1
Craig Williams, the only jockey to have conquered Australian racing's 'Super Slam'—comprising the Melbourne Cup, Caulfield Cup, Cox Plate, Golden Slipper, and The Everest—has secured victories in races of greater prestige than the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes.Nevertheless, the decorated rider has always held the 1400-metre handicap, set to be contested...
Matthew Smith banks on Queen's Gamble's potential in the Tea Rose Stakes
Emerging filly Queen's Gamble is set to face some of Sydney's most accomplished three-year-olds in the Tea Rose Stakes at Randwick. Trainer Matthew Smith, however, has a solid precedent for his confidence in her ability to compete.Smith's previous charge, Hurtle Myrtle, was a consistent performer in the 2009 Princess Series,...
Tactical racing expected in 7 Stakes due to small field
Autumn Glow is set to be a very short-priced favourite for the $1 million 7 Stakes at Randwick. Connections are confident in her ability to perform, but they are also aware that a small field can introduce unexpected challenges.Following Chris Waller's decision to withdraw stablemates Lindermann and Lady Shenandoah to...
Mollie Fitzgerald set for big stage in The Shorts
Apprentice jockey Mollie Fitzgerald is counting down the days until Saturday, when she will ride in her first Group race aboard the talented mare Flying For Fun in the lucrative $1 million Shorts at Randwick.The 24-year-old rider, indentured to trainers Annabel and Rob Archibald, has had three rides in Listed...
Blind Raise set for Caulfield Guineas Prelude challenge
The Spring Carnival is reaching a stage where horses have fewer opportunities to avoid facing their toughest rivals.Trainers Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young are keenly aware of this as they prepare Blind Raise for an assault on the Caulfield Guineas.The Caulfield Guineas, a 1600m feature race scheduled for October 10,...
Lloyd backs talented pair to perform at Newcastle
Leading jockey Zac Lloyd is set to test the mettle of Metropolitan contender Aethelwulf and Epsom Handicap hopeful Althoff in key lead-up races at Newcastle, with their respective carnival aspirations on the line.Aethelwulf, aiming for his fourth consecutive win, faces a dual test in Friday's Group 3 Newcastle Gold Cup...
Tennessee Spirit's speed set to shine at Morphettville Parks
Tennessee Spirit, a former rapid runner, has successfully learned to control her speed under the training of Toby Lake.Fresh off a win on the Ballarat synthetic track, Tennessee Spirit is heading to Adelaide this Saturday to compete in the Sportsbet Green Tick Handicap over 1000 metres at Morphettville Parks.The filly...