Jimmysstar to race in blinkers for the first time in Manikato Stakes

Trainer Ciaron Maher has been waiting for the opportune moment to equip Jimmysstar with blinkers.

That time has now arrived, with Jimmysstar set to debut blinkers in the Group 1 Manikato Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on Sunday.

Jimmysstar trialled successfully in the headgear on September 14 and was seen wearing blinkers during a gallop at Caulfield on Tuesday morning with race jockey Ethan Brown aboard.

"I've thought about it for a while," Maher said.

"His work isn't the easiest to gauge, but he does tend to settle into his stride in a trial. It was difficult to fully interpret his last start performance, and whether it was Angel Capital leaning on him or some other factor, but I was certainly very pleased with him heading into that race, and I'm definitely happy with him heading into this one. I believe they can only benefit him, but securing the right run will be more crucial, especially if he can get to the outside and unleash as we know he can."

Jimmysstar's return to racing saw what many considered an underwhelming performance in the Group 1 Memsie Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on August 29, finishing ninth behind Beiwacht.

Maher stated that Jimmysstar has improved significantly since that run and remains hopeful that the gelding can be a contender in The Everest at Randwick next month.

In last year's running of The Everest, Jimmysstar finished third to Ka Ying Rising.

"The key is how the horse is feeling, and he has come on from his first-up run," Maher commented. "He was very good in The Everest last year, and we'll certainly be keen to look at that race again, provided he's in the right form. He tackled it the hard way last year and was very strong, so hopefully, he runs back to that form, and we can have those discussions."

Jimmysstar has drawn barrier eight in the field of 13 runners for Sunday's contest.

The rail is set to be out 13 metres on Sunday, which is not ideal for a Group 1 event.

"To have the rail out this far is probably not what everyone wants, especially with Jimmy," Maher said. "But they could make ground on Saturday, and if they can make ground again, it should not be a worry. Everyone is hoping for a fair track, I guess."

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