Cult hero Jimmysstar (NZ) (Per Incanto) returned to his brilliant best with a breathtaking last-to-first performance in the Gr.1 Manikato Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on Sunday.

The son of Per Incanto produced his trademark finishing burst to claim the fourth Group One victory of his career and put himself firmly on a path towards the A$20 million Gr.1 The Everest (1200m) at Randwick.

Sporting blinkers for the first time, the Ciaron Maher-trained seven-year-old was allowed to find his feet by Ethan Brown after jumping slowly and settled at the tail of the field.

Brown remained patient before bringing the chestnut to the extreme outside approaching the home turn, where Jimmysstar unleashed a devastating sprint to reel in his rivals and defeat Extragalactic by three-quarters of a length, with Charm Stone a long head away in third.

The 1200m was covered in a slick 1:08.24.

Maher said the addition of blinkers may have played a part, but believed a return to Jimmysstar's preferred racing pattern was the key.

“He was going the same with or without them,” Maher said.

“I think it was just the run he likes to have. Browny was very confident that he wanted to ride him like the Oakleigh Plate. Just let the speed go.

“He jumped terribly and he rode him confidently and went at the right time.

“When he lets rip, there’s no better horse. I’m just thrilled. He’s such a little ripper of a horse.

“To have him out of form or not quite at his best is a hard pill to swallow, but that was pretty special.

“God, he was electric then.”

Maher indicated Jimmysstar would now be aimed towards The Everest, with the spacious Randwick circuit expected to play to the gelding's strengths.

Brown was equally thrilled to see Jimmysstar return to his best and believes the gelding is at his most effective when ridden quietly and allowed to produce one explosive run.

“He had a couple of flat runs, but I think he’s a get-back run-on sprinter. That’s his go,” Brown said.

“Blinkers probably switched him on a little bit, but he’s as genuine as they come. The race set up well and he was presented in great order by Ciaron.

“What a thrill for the owners. He’s back to his best. I’m speechless.”

Brown said few horses could produce the acceleration Jimmysstar possesses when everything falls into place.

“Not many horses can do that. His sectionals would be off the chart,” he said.

“That feeling he gives you, you can’t compare it to much. It is unreal. It would be like winning a Grand Final in footy terms.

“I’m so proud of this horse and I’m glad he got the job done today.”

Caulfield has become a particularly happy hunting ground for Jimmysstar, who has now won six races at the Melbourne circuit.

The Manikato joins last year's Gr.1 C.F. Orr Stakes (1400m), Gr.1 Oakleigh Plate (1100m) and Gr.1 All Aged Stakes (1400m) on his Group One record.

Jimmysstar has now won 12 of his 30 starts, with a further nine placings, earning A$10,036,272 in prizemoney along with A$1,657,500 in bonuses.

Jimmysstar began his career in New Zealand with Hastings trainer Guy Lowry, winning two of his three starts before a majority share was sold to clients of Maher following a Rating 65 victory at Hawke’s Bay.

He was bred by Wairarapa couple Pete and Chrissy Algie in partnership with Little Avondale Stud, with the Algies and stud proprietors Sam and Catriona Williams retaining an ownership interest in the star sprinter.

A son of outstanding stallion Per Incanto, Jimmysstar is out of the Zed mare Anniesstar, a five-time winner whose victories included the Listed Feilding Gold Cup (2100m).

Anniesstar has produced four named foals, all winners, headed by Jimmysstar and his Group Three winning sister Charms Star, while his younger full brother In'kantosstar has won three of his four starts to date. - NZ Racing Desk

Pride Of Jenni dominant in Feehan Stakes return

Trelawney Stud-bred star Pride Of Jenni (Pride Of Dubai) showed she remains a force to be reckoned with this spring, producing a dominant first-up performance to win Sunday’s Gr.2 Feehan Stakes (1600m) at Caulfield.

The nine-year-old daughter of Pride Of Dubai made it three consecutive victories in the Feehan Stakes with another display of the front-running brilliance that has made her one of Australasia’s most popular racehorses.

Having her first start since May, Pride Of Jenni was sent out the $1.85 favourite and was quickly into her customary role at the head of proceedings under Declan Bates.

She travelled strongly throughout before putting her rivals to the sword in the straight, going to the line 1.5 lengths clear of the fast-finishing Treasurethe Moment, with Pounding another 1.75 lengths away in third.

Trainer Ciaron Maher was delighted to see his stable star return in such commanding fashion.

“She’s just phenomenal, she’s such a great mare,” Maher said.

“To have her back at this age and arguably in as good a form as ever, it is quite remarkable.”

Bates said the signs leading into Pride Of Jenni’s return had given him plenty of confidence that she had lost none of her ability.

“She’s just made of different stuff,” he said. “We know it now.

“All the signs at home were that she’s as good as ever. I really came here full of confidence with how well she was going.

“Once again, Ciaron Maher produced her on the day. It was for me to just sit and steer and enjoy the ride.

“I didn’t even go for the whip in the end. I felt like I was always winning, but for a horse to race the way she does, time and time again she finds more, which most horses simply don’t have.”

The victory was the 14th of Pride Of Jenni’s career, taking her record to 49 starts for 14 wins and 15 placings, with A$12,818,685 in prize-money.

Owner Tony Ottobre was thrilled to see his star mare back doing what she does best.

“She’s just incredible,” Ottobre said.

“The public love her and there’s a good reason why, and that is what you’ve seen today.

“She’s just enjoying life and she’s showing that by her galloping.”

Pride Of Jenni was bred by Trelawney Stud and is out of the O’Reilly mare Sancerre (NZ), who was prepared by Cambridge trainer Tony Pike to win four races for the stud.

Pride Of Jenni stems from a family developed over generations at Trelawney Stud, which has been in the Taylor family’s ownership since 1993 after being established by Seton Otway in the 1930s.

Group Two winner Real Success was among the first families the Taylors bought into after taking ownership of Trelawney and has become the taproot of a highly successful line that includes Vouvray (NZ) (Zabeel), Loire (NZ) (Redoute’s Choice), A Touch Of Ruby (NZ) (Pins) and Pride Of Jenni.

Pride Of Jenni was offered at the Sydney Classic Yearling Sale, where she was sold for A$100,000 through the Segenhoe Stud draft to Tony and Lynn Ottobre’s Cape Schanck Stud. - Racing.com

Pride on weather watch with Ceolwulf

Joe Pride is almost certain to have two runners in the Gr.1 Epsom Handicap with a forecast for intermittent rain over the next seven days tipping him towards starting star galloper Ceolwulf (NZ) (Tavistock).

The feature Randwick mile has been a long-range campaign goal for stablemate Attica, while Pride has been keeping his options open with Ceolwulf, who's primary target is the Gr.1 King Charles III Stakes (1600m) on October 17.

Ceolwulf captured the Epsom two years ago on his way to claiming his inaugural win in the King Charles, then followed the same route 12 months ago when he finished sixth in the Epsom before claiming back-to-back editions of the Everest Day contest.

"I reckon we'll have two runners, Attica and Ceolwulf. I'm confident now with the rain around and a bit more at the end of the week," Pride said.

"I was happy to go straight to the King Charles if I needed to, but I'm also happy to give him the 'prep' I've given him for the last two years to get to the King Charles, which is running in the Epsom.

"I think we're going to get the opportunity to do that. I haven't locked it in yet, but I'd suggest we will."

Ceolwulf has 59kg in the Epsom, and no horse has carried the same or more to victory since Super Impose was successful with 61kg in 1991.

Pride is well aware Ceolwulf faces a herculean task, and is hoping the gelding can land a reasonable gate at Tuesday's barrier draw to soften the challenge.

A rain-affected track on Saturday will also be key, and wet weather is forecast for the back-end of the week.

"You don't want to draw outside fifteen because he'd be going right back and giving away a ridiculous start," Pride said.

"Between five and ten, you're probably two or three lengths closer.

"It's a race we've used successfully. He won it two years ago, but he won it with about 54 kilos so winning it with 59, it's not beyond him because he's such a good horse, but it would want to be a bit of a wet track."

Ceolwulf is a $15 chance in pre-post markets, which are jointly headed by the Chris Waller-trained Autumn Boy and unbeaten New Zealander Well Written, both at $3.50.

Attica is being kept safe as a $6 chance. - NZ Racing Desk

Goodson hoping Old Fashioned can help boost 2000 Guineas status

After being part of the group that kept the Group One status of the New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) on notice, Matthew Goodson may have a horse to help give that race the boost it needs.

Goodson and his wife Dianna Perron are the owner-breeders of exciting three-year-old Old Fashioned (NZ) (Proisir), who maintained his unbeaten record in style in Saturday’s Gr.2 The Foxes @ Novara Park Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m) at Hastings.

Goodson is also the chair of the New Zealand Pattern Committee (NZPC), which reviews the Group and Listed status of all New Zealand races in accordance with guidelines established by the Asian Pattern Committee (APC).

In its annual report, released two weeks ago, the NZPC maintained the warning on the 2000 Guineas, which means it is very close to being downgraded, barring either a reprieve from the APC, as was the case following a vote earlier this year, or a stronger running following a poor edition of the race in 2025.

The only way to ensure the race maintains Group One status is for the end-of-season World Thoroughbred Rankings of the top four finishers in the race to average more than the tolerance level of 111. And the manner of his impressive victory at Hastings suggests the Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand 2000 Guineas-bound Old Fashioned may prove to be capable of earning a rating that pushes that race ranking higher.

“Often the race has had a couple of really top, unquestionable Group One horses, but the problem has been that the race has struggled to have the depth in either the top four finishers or the four highest rated horses, which has spoiled the rating of the race,” Goodson said.

“Hopefully this year it will get over the line. It’s a race the NZPC would only downgrade with extreme reluctance if there was absolutely no choice. There is some sympathy at the Asian Pattern Committee to this conundrum.

“Hopefully Old Fashioned can prove his worth in the race. We’ve run third twice with Sherwood Forest and Field of Gold. Field of Gold was horribly unlucky when he was third to Noverre and was horribly hemmed up with nowhere to go.”

Sherwood Forest and Field of Gold both went on to win significant prizes – the Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) in Sherwood Forest’s case, and the Gr.2 Waikato Guineas (2000m) for Field of Gold.

Interestingly, this pair and Old Fashioned were all sent to auction and failed to meet their reserve. Old Fashioned was sent to the New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run sale last year in the Lilywhites Lodge consignment, but after running a 10.89 second 200m breeze, nobody was prepared to go to the $150,000 reserve.

“He was a lovely horse and did a lovely breeze. We thought there would be plenty of interest in him, but there was nobody on him, but that’s turned out to be fortunate,” Goodson said.

“Some of our best horses have been ones that no-one’s actually wanted.”

After retaining Old Fashioned, Goodson and Perron sent the colt down to Bill Thurlow at Waverley, who had previously prepared No Rain Ever to win the 2024 Listed Warstep Stakes (2000m) at Riccarton for them.

“We’ve known Bill for a long time,” Goodson said. “We met him on an Australian stud tour 12 to 15 years ago. He’s a very good friend of Gordon Calder (who was in the ownership of Sherwood Forest), and Gordon’s always sung his praises.

“He’s got a great set-up at Waverley with the grass track and the beach across the road, so we’ve sent him some horses and it’s been great to get some results.”

Old Fashioned is a granddaughter of the Zabeel mare Mary Agnes, who was the first broodmare Goodson and Perron bought and has become a foundation mare for their operation.

“Mary Agnes was a very good mare but had injury issues, and we bred Contrary Mary, the dam of this horse, from her,” Goodson said.

“Contrary Mary won a very strong maiden first start and had oodles of ability, but she then did a tendon. Now we’ve got him, and he’s shown heaps all the way through.”

Contrary Mary had an Almanzor filly the year before Old Fashioned. After foaling him, she went to Hello Youmzain twice, producing a filly and a colt, and she is currently in foal to Sword of State, the sire of Saturdays Gr.1 Golden Rose (1400m) winner Warwoven in Sydney.

“Sword of State had a good day yesterday as well, which is great for her foal,” Goodson said. “Hopefully we get a nice Sword of State foal, but I’d say after yesterday she’d probably go back to Proisir this year." - Alastair Bull LOVERACING.NZ News Desk