Trainer John Bary has changed plans with Jimmy Choux and will start the Cox Plate favourite again in New Zealand before he heads to Melbourne.
Bary had planned on going five weeks into the Cox Plate at Moonee Valley on October 22 but the NZ Horse of the Year has done “too well” since winning the Group One Windsor Park Plate (1600m) at Hastings last Saturday.
Jimmy Choux will now start in the Group One Spring Classic (2040m) at the same venue on October 1.
“He’ll be racing on the last day of the carnival at Hastings on the 1st of October,” Bary said.
“I just listen to what the horse tells me and I have underestimated the fact that he’s done so well since his win the other day.
“He’s a year older and a year stronger and he’s coping with racing so well now.
“The other thing is the race is here (at Hastings), he can be in his box then 10 minutes later he’s at the track and he is back home in 10 minutes.
“It’s taking nothing out of him and he’s too well.”
Jimmy Choux scored the fourth Group One win of his career last weekend and Bary says the entire continues to improve.
“I just can’t explain it, he just keeps getting better and he’s even better again than before he raced last week,” he said.
After running on October 1, Jimmy Choux will be kept at home for a couple of days before he starts his trip to Melbourne.
“He’ll arrive in Melbourne on the 8th of October,” Bary said.
“That’s tons of time (to settle in before the Cox Plate).”
“I’m very confident with him, I think I’ve got a real good racehorse. I can’t control what the other horses are doing and I can’t control the running of the race but I think this horse is super well and is right where I want him.”
AAP TURF
