All Aged Stakes winner Jimmysstar has become the fourth horse confirmed for the $20 million The Everest after the TAB locked him in for its slot.
The Ciaron Maher-trained galloper joins Hong Kong superstar Ka Ying Rising, T J Smith Stakes winner Briasa and emerging young speedster Private Harry in the elite field.
A winner of the Oakleigh Plate earlier this year, Jimmysstar capped his rise as one of the country’s best sprinters with his Group 1 All Aged Stakes (1400m) victory at Randwick in April and is on the fourth line of early markets at $11.
Maher claimed his first Everest crown last year with outstanding mare Bella Nipotina, who also represented the TAB, and the leading trainer is hoping Jimmysstar can follow her lead.
“Hopefully we can repeat the process,” Maher told Sydney’s The Big Sports Breakfast on Wednesday.
“He has certainly improved a bit physically from last prep and he had a breakout preparation last time around.
“It’s pretty exciting to get one locked in nice and early for such a big race. We can just plan to have him spot-on for the day.”
Maher says Jimmysstar races best when kept fresh and intends to kick off his campaign in The Shorts (1100m) at Randwick on September 20 before tackling The Everest (1200m) a month later, with a barrier trial in between.
Ka Ying Rising is an odds-on favourite for the showpiece and Maher admits the David Hayes-trained star looms as a significant stumbling block.
“He’s a world-class horse and he’ll be hard to beat but he’s got to travel over and everything has to go well,” Maher said.
“I probably hope he’s not quite at his best and we’ve improved.”
Maher also had three of his stars trial at Gosford on Wednesday with Australian Cup winner Light Infantry Man, Another Wil and Gringotts all finishing midfield in their respective heats.
Another Wil and Gringotts are scheduled to resume in the Winx Stakes (1400m) next month with the former to then head to Melbourne for a Cox Plate campaign.
Maher said Light Infantry Man would also kick off his preparation in Sydney before embarking on a program that would culminate in him joining Another Wil for a shot at Australia’s weight-for-age championship.
