Jimmysstar emphatically announced he was anything but a spent force as a major player in Australia’s feature sprint races with a brilliant win in Sunday’s Manikato Stakes at Caulfield.
The enigmatic sprinter logged Group 1 win number four when he rounded up his rivals in the $2 million 1200-metre event that was run at Caulfield for the first time with Moonee Valley under reconstruction.
Caulfield is a happy hunting ground for the seven-year-old son of Per Incanto, who also has an Oakleigh Plate (1100m) and Orr Stakes (1400m) to his name at Caulfield, and trainer Ciaron Maher was thrilled to see him return to his best on what was a red-letter day for the stable.
“When he lets rip, there’s no better horse,” Maher said of his fifth winner for the day.
“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.”
Jimmysstar was given an ice-cold steer from regular partner Ethan Brown, who was able to extricate a way to the outside just before straightening to allow the gelding to unleash his trademark finish.
The $6.50 chance ran past all-bar one rival in the final 400m to get home by three quarters of a length from Extragalactic ($5), who powered home to finish a long-head in advance of defending champion Charm Stone ($21).
Beiwacht, the three-time Group 1 winner who started $3.20 favourite, was unable to dictate in front and weakened in the straight to finish ninth, beaten just over four lengths.
The victory was Jimmysstar’s first since his Orr Stakes success last November and Brown got a kick out of seeing him back to his best.
“Not many horses can do that,” Brown said.
“His sectionals would be off the chart. I think 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 quite speechless. I’m so proud of this horse and I’m glad he got the job done today.”
Jimmysstar’s win came three races after Maher enjoyed a similarly satisfying result with Pride Of Jenni in the $500,000 Group 2 Feehan Stakes (1600m), while he also celebrated success with Threads, Royal Supremacy and Over The Bridge.
“It’s an amazing day. Alice (partner) and my two daughters, they’d be watching on and I wish they were here,” Maher said.
“I could not be more proud of the team. We’ve got an amazing team.”
