Ciaron Maher main sprint focus this weekend will be on Jimmysstar’s Kingsford Smith Cup quest, but around the same time that Group 1 race is run a stable stalwart will build towards another winter campaign at Caulfield.
Recommendation will embark on what has been a familiar path in recent seasons when he contests the $175,000 Listed Bel Esprit Stakes (1100m).
The six-year-old gelding ran sixth in last year’s event before progressing to the Group 3 Sir John Monash Stakes (1100m) and Group 3 Bletchingly Stakes (1200m), races he won in 2024, and Maher’s assistant trainer Jack Turnbull said they were again his main aims this winter.
“He’s had this as the target since he ran in Adelaide,” Turnbull said.
“He’s good and he’ll be on a similar pathway to the last couple of winters in the Monash and Bletchingly.
“That’s his right trip, 1100. It’s well-documented that’s his go now.”
Recommendation’s two starts this time in have been over 1100m, finishing third in the $500,000 Country Discovery at Ballarat before a 1-1/4-length sixth placing in the Group 3 John Hawkes Stakes at Morphettville.
While the Maher team is looking to capitalise on the son of Shalaa’s liking for 1100m, it is excited to see Jimmysstar back out beyond 1200m in the Kingsford Smith Cup.
His only top-three finish in four starts this time in was a third placing in the 1400m All Aged Stakes, with his other three starts having been over 1200m, and Turnbull expects him to bounce back at 1300m on the spacious Eagle Farm track.
“He just needs a bit of time to wind up,” he said.
“Everyone’s been going on like he’s been getting beaten three, four, five lengths, but his runs have been credible and he just wants a little bit further.”
Jimmysstar remains favourite for the Kingsford Smith Cup from King Of Roseau, Private Eye and Fangirl.