Ciaron Maher’s stable will once again rely on the “fresh is best” approach for Jimmysstar as he gears up for Saturday’s Group 1 William Reid Stakes (1200m) at The Valley.
Jack Turnbull, Maher’s national assistant trainer, highlighted how the strategy paid off when Jimmysstar unleashed a powerful finish to claim victory in the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate (1100m) at Caulfield on February 22.
With a month between the Oakleigh Plate and the William Reid Stakes, the team saw it as the perfect opportunity to freshen him up before his first attempt at a Group 1 weight-for-age race.
“If you keep him fresh in high-intensity sprint races, he can sit off them and make a long-sustained run which he did the other day,” Turnbull said.
Although Jimmysstar has the endurance for longer distances, the stable is confident that his sharp turn of foot makes him a formidable competitor in sprint races for now.
“He’s got a bit of stamina, but he’s quick. There’s no doubt he will get back up to 1400m,” Turnbull said.
While his last victory came in a handicap race, Turnbull pointed out that Jimmysstar’s 103 rating makes him a worthy contender for elite weight-for-age sprints.
