‘Jimmy’ out to be a Memsie star
Jimmysstar (NZ) (Per Incanto) is set to make one of his rare appearances in Melbourne when he kicks off his spring campaign at Caulfield in the Gr.1 Memsie Stakes (1400m).
The Ciaron Maher-trained galloper has been a good money-spinner for the stable, amassing more than A$8.8 million in prize money from his 11 wins and nine placings in 28 starts.
Jimmysstar started his career in New Zealand and, after three runs, made his way to the Maher stable, where he had immediate success at Bendigo and Cranbourne.
After two more starts, Jimmysstar began his travels up the eastern seaboard of Australia, finding his way to Newcastle, Eagle Farm and Scone.
Jimmysstar raced exclusively in Melbourne during the 2024 Spring Carnival and commenced his 2025 autumn campaign there before his travels began again, culminating in success in the Gr.1 All-Aged Stakes (1400m) at Randwick.
The gelding had three starts in Sydney last spring before returning to Melbourne to claim the Gr.1 C F Orr Stakes (1400m), while his autumn started at Caulfield with an unplaced run in the Gr.1 William Reid Stakes (1200m) before he headed north to Sydney and then on to Brisbane for a further four runs.
Jimmysstar has done most of his preparation in Sydney, including a course-proper gallop at Warwick Farm on Monday ahead of Saturday's return in the Memsie Stakes.
Maher could not be happier with Jimmysstar's preparation and said he had seen the old spark in the now seven-year-old.
"His two jump-outs have been very sharp this prep and I'm just rapt with the way he's come up," Maher said.
"You could say his runs in the autumn were not right up to his best, but he seems to have come back really well and seems in a good spot.
"I'm really looking forward to kicking off in the Memsie. The 1400 (metres) is arguably his best trip at the moment and Caulfield, he's got a great record as well.
"He's raced the best plenty of times. He was very good against Ka Ying Rising (NZ) (Shamexpress) over six (furlongs, 1200m) and you would think he's better over seven (1400m).
"He's got a good base and has come up well and I'm sure he will make his presence felt."
Maher said there were plenty of options for Jimmysstar following Saturday's return, including a possible return to Sydney for The Everest.
Jimmysstar ran third behind Ka Ying Rising and Tempted (Street Boss) last year after covering ground, before going on to win the Russell Balding Stakes (1300m) and C F Orr.
"He ran huge in The Everest from the wide gate," Maher said.
"He did plenty of work and it was a very good run at the six (furlongs).
"It's a path that has been done before by I Wish I Win. He ran in the Memsie and then went back to an Everest and was very good.
"He could also go out to a mile as well. We'll see how he goes on Saturday, but it's good to have options.” - RAS Newswire
