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.
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