Star sprinter Jimmysstar will not contest next week’s Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap, with connections opting to end his Queensland winter campaign and target the spring carnival instead.
The decision comes after the Ciaron Maher-trained gelding’s narrow defeat as favourite in Saturday’s Group 1 Kingsford Smith Cup at Eagle Farm.
Despite remaining winless through five starts this preparation, Jimmysstar has consistently performed at the elite level and was expected to be among the leading contenders for Queensland’s $3 million feature sprint.
However, connections have elected to send the gelding for a spell rather than continue his campaign under the 58.5kg topweight he had been allocated for the Stradbroke.
Part-owner Ozzie Kheir confirmed the change of plans during an appearance on SEN’s Giddy Up, revealing the focus had shifted to a spring return.
The Group 1 Memsie Stakes at Caulfield in late August is expected to be his first-up target.
Should all go to plan, Jimmysstar could then progress towards races such as the Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes, the King Charles III Stakes in Sydney and potentially another crack at The Everest.
The talented sprinter was luckless when finishing third in last year’s Everest and remains one of Australia’s leading short-course performers heading into the new season.
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