Jimmysstar ($2.50F) confirmed the strong opinion many held of his run in the The Everest by returning two weeks later to dominate the $3,000,000 Russell Balding Stakes at Randwick.
Prepared by the Ciaron Maher yard, the son of Per Incanto enjoyed a soft run midfield on the rail before peeling out and sprinting sharply to score by two and three-quarter lengths over Lady Shenandoah ($6.50), with Mazu ($26) sticking on for third only a neck further back.
Previously renowned for charging home from the rear, the six-year-old has begun to settle closer in his races — a tactical progression the stable has worked on this preparation.
Stable representative Johann Gerard-Dubord said the team had been focused on giving the sprinter more versatility.
“Obviously his biggest asset is his turn of foot, we tried to train that this prep and we found out in The Everest,” Gerard-Dubord said.
“His run in The Everest was good and to back it up two weeks later after such a big run, it’s never easy to do but he’s such a tough horse.
He just keeps getting better.”
On top of the $1.75 million winner’s purse, Jimmysstar also collected an additional $1.7 million in Racing NSW bonuses for contesting the Russell Balding Stakes.
Melbourne-based rider Ethan Brown produced a patient and confident steer, and was clearly thrilled to continue his association with the dual Group 1 winner.
“I love this horse so much, he’s a beauty,” Brown said.
“He was entitled to feel the pinch off the last run but Ciaron just guided him through to this race and he performed like it was his grand final.”
Asked whether the result might secure him a spot in Sydney’s popular coastal suburb, Brown played along.
“Maybe a deposit,” he joked.
Connections are now weighing up whether to race again immediately in next Saturday’s Group 1 Champions Sprint at Flemington.
“He deserves a spell, but we’ll have to see how he pulls up,” Gerard-Dubord said.
“We did that with Bella (Nipotina) last year, it’s not out of the equation.”
Jimmysstar remains prominent in futures markets, currently rated an $8 chance for the $3 million sprint feature on the final day of the Melbourne Cup carnival.
