Many believed Jimmysstar ($2.50F) was the run of the race in The Everest a fortnight ago, and those opinions have been franked with a dominant display in the $3,000,000 Russell Balding Stakes.
Trained by the in-form stable of Ciaron Maher, the son of Per Incanto settled mid-field on the fence before being unleashed down the centre of the Randwick straight for a two and three quarter length victory over a brave Lady Shenandoah ($6.50). Early leader Mazu ($26) kept batting away for third a further long neck back.
After initially being a drop back and run on type horse, the six-year-old has shown that he can settle a bit closer in transit, which enabled him to utilise his low draw.
Stable representative Johann Gerard-Dubord explained that it had been something that the stable were instilling in the talented sprinter.
“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.”
Aside from the $1.75 million winning cheque, Jimmysstar also picked up a further $1.7 million in incentive bonuses from Racing NSW for racing through to the Russell Balding Stakes.
Perfectly steered by Melbourne-based jockey Ethan Brown, the hoop was grateful for his association with the two-time 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.”
When asked if he would be able to now be able to buy a house in the Sydney suburb of Coogee, Brown was more realistic about his chances.
“Maybe a deposit,” Brown quipped.
As to what’s next for the topliner, Gerard-Dubord wasn’t ruling out a quick back-up in next weekend’s Champions Sprint at Flemington on the last day of the Melbourne Cup carnival.
“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 currently sits on the fourth line of futures betting at $8 for next Saturday’s $3 million Group 1.
