Jimmysstar primed for stakes test
All-Star Mile wildcard Jimmysstar will be tested in stakes grade for the first time on Saturday.
Trainer Ciaron Maher, fresh off a Caulfield treble on Saturday, has Jimmysstar nominated for the Listed Elms Handicap (1400m) at Flemington.
Former New Zealand galloper Jimmysstar has won five of six starts, four straight in Victoria, including a dominant Benchmark 84 success at Caulfield last Saturday.
Jimmysstar’s rapid rise has opened the door for Another Wil, another lightly-raced progressive four-year-old, to step through the Benchmark grades.
Another Wil raced on speed at Caulfield on Saturday, and surged clear to win the 1600m BM70 by 3½ lengths with his ears pricked.
“I haven’t dissected the race at all but he’s still doing little things wrong,” Maher said of Another Wil before Yonce and Estriella saluted in their respective races.
“He went forward, took a while to come back, quickened up, (and) wobbled around the turn.
“A bit like Jimmy … try and tick through the grades, hopefully.”
Maher has Group 1 winners King Colorado and Bella Nipotina also entered for races on Saturday.
King Colorado will contest the Group 3 CS Hayes Stakes – an Australian Guineas leadup – while Bella Nipotina is fancied for the Group 1 Black Caviar Lightning Stakes.
“Flemington should be ideal (for King Colorado),” Maher said.
“He’ll love that, you’d think he would be better there and hopefully (Australian) Guineas.” King Colorado finished powerfully to run second in the Group 3 Manfred Stakes first-up at Caulfield last month.