The template that resulted in Bella Nipotina delivering Ciaron Maher his maiden Everest win is again being implemented by the champion trainer, this time with All Aged Stakes winner Jimmysstar.
The six-year-old will be in unchartered territory when he races over 1000m for the first time in Saturday’s Concorde Stakes at Randwick but Maher believes it is the right starting point for the sprinter’s Everest campaign.
“Originally I was going to have a look at The Shorts and then in (to the Everest). But the way he has come up, it just works, I feel,” Maher said.
“It’s a similar path to what I took with the mare last year.
“I don’t think he has been over the 1000 but it just works timing-wise.”
Bella Nipotina finished runner-up to stablemate I Am Me in the 2024 Concorde Stakes (1000m) before again placing in the Premiere Stakes (1200m) ahead of her Everest (1200m) heroics.
Maher has mapped the same route for Jimmysstar, who is one of four confirmed starters for The Everest having been selected to represent the slot held by the TAB.
The trainer admits that having the gelding securely in the $20 million race gives him the leeway to take a big picture view of Jimmysstar’s spring preparation and as such, Maher will be satisfied to see his charge doing his best work late first-up.
“No pressure, as long as he’s hitting the line,” Maher said.
“If there are a few speedsters in there, which there are, I’m not overly concerned. It’s more about getting him going and then the 1200 should be more to his liking and then he can freshen up into it (Everest).”
As has become customary, the Concorde Stakes (1000m) has attracted several horses hoping to stake their claims for an Everest slot including Lady Shenandoah, Jedibeel and Headwall.
The three horses confirmed for starts in the world richest race on turf alongside Jimmysstar – Hong Kong heavyweight Ka Ying Rising, Briasa and Private Harry – are yet to make their seasonal returns.
