Jimmysstar as good as gold ahead of Orr Stakes

MELBOURNE The revamped Spring Racing Carnival programming, which sees the A$1 million (S$844,000) Group 1 Orr Stakes (1,400m) run at Caulfield on Nov 15, is perfect for Jimmysstar according to his trainer Ciaron Maher.

The son of Per Incanto finished a luckless third behind Hong Kong superstar Ka Ying Rising in the Group 1 The Everest (1,200m) at Randwick on Oct 18.

But the six-year-old gelding quickly returned to his best last start when he brought up a dominant win in the A$3 million Russell Balding Stakes (1,300m) at Randwick on Nov 1.

Now, Jimmysstar has returned to Melbourne in fine fettle.

“He’s super. He’s in career-best form,” said Maher.

The two-time Group 1 winner has won thrice over 1,400m, including the Group 1 All Aged Stakes at Randwick on April 19. He is also a winner over 1,500m in his second Australian start at Cranbourne on Nov 25, 2023.

Maher believes Jimmysstar will relish the extra 100m in the weight-for-age contest on Nov 15.

“He’s just a good horse, right in that rich vein of form,” said the champion trainer.

“If The Everest wasn’t there, he probably has his first run at 1,200 (metres) and then goes to 1,400 and into his sweet spot.

“But you can see what he did when he went to 1,300 last start and he’ll be better again at 1400.”

Jimmysstar had a good draw from gate two last time, and regular rider Ethan Brown gave him a ground-saving run in midfield along the rail in that field of 15.

In the straight, the New Zealand-bred produced his customary blistering turn of foot by bursting into a clear lead and quickly putting the result beyond any doubt.

He went on to score by 2½ lengths from the late-finishing Lady Shenandoah. It was the biggest winning margin in the Russell Balding Stakes, which was added to the Sydney spring calendar in 2019.

Usually a horse that gets back in his races, Jimmysstar has shown the ability to settle closer, notably when racing just off the speed in The Everest when a game third to Ka Ying Rising.

“He did lead here one day at Flemington, but at 1,300, he can travel a bit closer and at 14 (hundred), he’ll travel even easier,” said Maher.

The winner of two of his three starts in New Zealand for Hastings trainer Guy Lowry, a majority share in Jimmysstar was sold to clients of Maher following a Rating 65 win at Hawke’s Bay.

The chestnut galloper has now gone on to amass more than A$6 million in stakes. He has recorded 10 wins and seven placings in 22 starts.

Jimmysstar was bred by Wairarapa couple Pete and Chrissy Algie in partnership with Little Avondale Stud. Stud proprietors Sam and Catriona Williams, along with the Algies, remain in the ownership of the star galloper.

Jimmysstar will be Maher’s only representative in the Caulfield feature and Brown will take the reins again.

He is the favourite at 6-5, while Angel Capital is the second favourite at 19-10. The Chris Waller-trained four-year-old caught the eye when closing strongly for sixth in The Everest in his last start.

The Orr Stakes was traditionally run in February, with its last edition won by the Ben, Will and J.D. Hayes-trained Mr Brightside on Feb 10, 2024.

In April 2025, Racing Victoria and the Melbourne Racing Club announced the changes in dates for three Caulfield Group 1 races in the 2025 Spring Racing Carnival, including the Orr Stakes.

The move provides a further option for Group 1 success towards the end of the Spring Racing Carnival for horses that have competed in the Melbourne Cup Carnival or interstate. RACING AND SPORTS