Jimmysstar sent for a spell
Jimmysstar (NZ) (Per Incanto) will not run in the $3 million Stradbroke Handicap in Brisbane, with the sprint star instead sent for a spell ahead of the new season.
Part-owner Ozzie Kheir said on Tuesday morning connections made the difficult decision to bypass the 1400-metre handicap on June 13 so as not to interfere with his spring campaign.
‘’It was a tough decision because he is peaking and ready to go over his favourite trip, but having him up for the race just shortens his time for a winter break so we thought it best to put him away now,’’ Kheir said.
The Stradbroke would have been Jimmysstar’s last chance at securing an autumn Group One after a succession of close-up efforts in both Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. He had been handicapped at 58.5kgs for the feature.
Just last week, he was beaten an official margin of only 0.09 lengths by Headley Grange in the Gr.1 Kingsford-Smith Cup (1300m) at Eagle Farm.
His withdrawal from the Stradbroke is likely to see Headley Grange and Fangirl battle it out for favourtism.
