10 May 2026
Maher camp weighs up Doomben run for Jimmy
Whether Jimmysstar (NZ) (Per Incanto) runs in Saturday’s Gr.1 Doomben 10,000 or not, his stable is confident the remarkable galloper will find his way into the winner’s stall in Queensland this winter.
Jimmysstar is without a win for the campaign for the first time since coming to Australia from New Zealand in 2024, but trainer Ciaron Maher’s assistant trainer Jack Turnbull said the stable expected the popular winner of A$8.5 million in stakes was closing in on a winning performance.
But a decision is still to come as to whether the former Kiwi will tackle the A$1.5 million Doomben 10,000 (1200m) on Saturday in what would be his first run since a close-up third in the Gr.1 All Aged Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on April 18.
“Potentially, it’s an option,” Turnbull said at Caulfield on Saturday. “Nothing is confirmed but given the horse and nominations, it’s worth considering. Ethan (Brown) has been given permission (from the Hong Kong Jockey Club) to travel.
“He (Jimmysstar) was at Bong Bong (NSW property) along with (Pride Of) Jenni – they stayed in paddocks across from each other.
“Right now, he’s in NSW and if he’s going to run, he’ll go up (to Queensland) on Tuesday or Wednesday.”
Jimmysstar has not won in three starts this campaign, but Turnbull said only one of them had some question marks.
“The only run that was sub-par was here (William Reid Stakes at Caulfield) and you could argue that had to do with the track,” he said.
“I think out of his runs this prep, you put a line through that run but our team have been really complimentary of his actual performances whether or not he’s copped a bump out of the gates or he’s got too far back.
“I know everyone has this level of expectation that he’s going to come back and go bang, bang, bang, but unfortunately his pattern is (to settle) back and against that class of horse he needs to be scintillating to be winning.
“His runs were good and they were improving and I am sure they will continue to improve.”
After his unplaced run in the William Reid, Jimmysstar went to Sydney for a fifth placing (beaten just over two lengths) in the Gr.1 T.J. Smith Stakes (1200m) before going under less than a length when flashing late in the All Aged Stakes (1400m).
Bookmakers have him marked as the $3.20 early favourite for the Doomben 10,000 ahead of Tuesday’s final acceptances. - Racing.com
Linebacker freshened to Star in Scone sprint
Tom Charlton is set to split two of his stable big guns between states this weekend with Linebacker (NZ) (Super Seth) slated to tackle the Listed Luskin Star Stakes at Scone and promising sprinter Napoleonic the Gr.1 Doomben 10,000.
While Linebacker has been nominated for both races, Charlton says he is favouring a trip to Scone as the extra 100m of the Luskin Star Stakes (1300m) is in the horse's sweet spot.
"He is nominated for both, and we can think about it, but he will probably go to Scone and Napoleonic will go to Queensland," Charlton said.
"With Linebacker, 1300 is a distance he's very effective at. He will enjoy Scone and if we can get a bit of confidence in him, we can get him to the Stradbroke (Handicap)."
The 2025 Gr.1 Randwick Guineas winner, Linebacker contested elite company during the autumn.
Finishing just 1-1/2 lengths from Joliestar first-up in the Canterbury Stakes (1300m), he was midfield in Autumn Glow's George Ryder Stakes (1500m) and a solid sixth in the Doncaster Mile (1600m).
Charlton feels the gelding will benefit from a freshen-up and slight distance drop as he bids to get back to winning form.
"His Canterbury Stakes run was great, and the George Ryder turned out to be a very good form race, and he wasn't too bad in hindsight," Charlton said.
"In the Doncaster, he put himself in a good position and they went very quick. He presented like he was going to be in the finish, but the pattern of that race probably played against him.
"He was the best on-speed horse, and he might appreciate a freshen up and coming back to that 1300 and 1400 metres." - NZ Racing Desk
Joshua Smith
Joshua Smith
LOVERACING.NZ News Desk
🎥 Did you see?
