The Ciaron Maher stable is in no rush to get Jimmysstar to the big league despite the former New Zealand galloper holding an All-Star Mile wildcard.
As part of his program to the All-Star Mile (1600m) at Caulfield on March 16, Jimmysstar is set to run in the Listed The Elms Handicap (1400m) at Flemington on Saturday.
Jack Turnbull, assistant trainer for Maher based at Cranbourne, said Jimmysstar was a work in progress, and would continue to use his rating in lesser races to build the gelding’s profile.
Jimmysstar is unbeaten in three Australian starts, graduating from a benchmark 70 victory at Bendigo last November to a Class 3 win at Cranbourne, later that month, before returning to claim a Caulfield win in a benchmark 84 race on February 3.
Following that win, Jimmysstar was given an All-Star Mile wildcard by Racing Victoria which Turnbull said had become the gelding’s aim.
“We’re going to use Saturday’s race, in which he has a light weight, as a stepping stone into the All-Star Mile,” Turnbull said.
“We’re one run at a time. I know he’s got an All-Star Mile wildcard, but he has to go out there and do it again on Saturday, but he helps himself in that he can lob anywhere in the run, he’s got gears.
“He can be back, midfield, he can push forward if there’s no speed and that’s the beauty of a horse like Jimmysstar.”
Since arriving at the Cranbourne stable of Maher, Jimmysstar has been given extensive work in an effort to get him to relax.
He arrived from New Zealand with two wins under belt and had been extremely well cared for and prepared by his previous trainer, but just needed a few minor chinks ironed out.
“He was very sound and readymade, but he was a little hot mentally,” Turnbull said.
“In the time he’s been with us, he’s really come around.
“He’s spent his whole time at Cranbourne. He does a lot of his work in the sandhills, does a bit of treadmill work and in between runs will go to Fulmen Park.
“We’ve done little things like that to manage him in the barn, but the longer he’s been in training the wiser he gets.
“I guess like any good racehorse, the more exposure they get, the better they get.”
Craig Williams, who scored on Jimmysstar at Cranbourne, takes over on Saturday as the 54kg he has been allotted is outside the weight range of Blake Shinn who has ridden the gelding in his other two Australian wins.
