Inside draw a challenge for Jimmy

[Wandering Eyes]

Former Kiwi galloper Jimmysstar(NZ) (Per Incanto) will step up to Group One company for the first time on Saturday when the lightly-raced son of Per Incanto contests the Gr.1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on Saturday.

The winner of two of his three starts in New Zealand for Hastings trainer Guy Lowry, a majority share in Jimmysstar was sold to clients of Ciaron Maher in September of last year and the chestnut has continued on an upward trajectory for his new connections.

Now the winner of seven of his 13 starts to date, Jimmysstar was beaten by stablemate Another Wil in the Gr.2 The Damien Oliver (1400m) at Flemington a fortnight ago and will again clash with that key rival, but gets back to his favoured Caulfield track where he is unbeaten in three starts.

Maher’s Assistant Trainer Jack Turnbull believes there is little between the stable’s trio of runners which includes Group One winner Southport Tycoon, Another Will and Jimmysstar and said the latter will have to overcome a tricky draw in barrier one.

“Jimmystar is only a length or two behind Another Wil but I think has drawn a bit sticky in one, given how he normally races,” Turnbull said.

“Hopefully we can trifecta the race. We have had a fruitful spring so far.”

Turnbull said it was hard to predict where Jimmysstar would be in the run.

“It is hard to say where he will be. He is not going be any worse than the second half. He’ll be midfield to box seat around abouts.

“But it’s just that element of being too forward and having to ask him to be out of his comfort zone because he is a better chaser and he has run his best races being off them and trying to catch them.

“I’m not doubting him by any means, but it would have to work out and flow properly, especially being at Caulfield.”

With just 53kgs, Jimmystar has a 1.5kg swing in the weights on Another Wil and will be ridden by Damian Lane. .

Jimmystar is not the only former Kiwi to contest the Group One handicap, with War Machine coming off a solid eighth in a strongly-run A$10 million Golden Eagle (1500m) for trainers Mike Moroney and Glen Thompson.

“He came through the Golden Eagle well enough,” Moroney said. “This is going to be his last run this time in and I think he will be better next preparation. He is a really talented horse and he is in with a dangerous weight (52kgs) and he does tick a lot of boxes.

“His form is pretty good and it was a really strong Golden Eagle and he acquitted himself well.

By Harry Angel out of the winning Hussonet mare Caserta, the gelding was prepared by Jim Wallace in New Zealand and after failing to meet his $100,000 reserve at the Ready To Run Sales, won his only trial at Foxton by six lengths before his private purchase.

“We purchased him from the trials through Steven Pinfold who actually worked for me and strapped Second Coming when he won the Derby. He sorted him out for us and he has been a really nice horse.

“He is still a little bit unmade and needs to learn to settle a bit, but long-term he will be the best of my three in the race.”

View the full article