Jimmysstar Returns to Winning Ways in Manikato

In what proved to be a hugely memorable Sunday's racing at Caulfield for Victoria's leading trainer Ciaron Maher Sept. 27, stable favorite Jimmysstar (NZ) produced a stellar come-from-behind effort to land a big victory in the AU$2 million Manikato Stakes (G1). The now 7-year-old gelding had not scored since winning the C.F. Orr Stakes (G1) Nov. 15 at Caulfield last year and, despite a runner-up finish in the Kingsford-Smith Cup (G1) to end the 2025-26 campaign, had largely not been at his best since that Orr success. A first-up ninth of 12 in the Memsie Stakes (G1) as the AU$3.75 second-elect did nothing to dispel those thoughts from connections, so a big bounce back to form was needed from the gelding. And what better day than a rare Group 1 Sunday of racing to provide just that. Sons of Street Cry were to the fore with fellow stable stalwart Pride Of Jenni (AUS) having produced a demolition job on her five rivals in the Feehan Stakes (G2) just three races prior, and Maher having incredibly won four of the seven races on the card, the script was already half-written for Jimmysstar heading into the day's feature. Sent off as the AU$6.50 third-elect behind his Memsie conqueror Beiwacht (AUS) and the well supported Extragalactic (AUS), the son of Per Incanto was ridden cold off the speed by usual partner Ethan Brown with first-time blinkers given a whirl. Turning into the home straight off what looked a decent gallop set by the then-fading Beiwacht, Jimmysstar took wide of his rivals and produced a scintillating turn of foot down the center of the track, hitting the front inside the final 100 meters and staying on strongly to beat Extragalactic by 0.75 lengths. There was a further 0.25 lengths back to the third-placed Charm Stone (AUS), as Beiwacht would eventually finish ninth of the 13 runners as the drop back to the 1200-meter (about 6-furlong) trip seemed to hinder. Sunday's rousing victory was Jimmysstar's fourth at group 1 level, with all having come under Brown. "He had a couple of flat runs, but I think he's a get back, run on sprinter. That's his go," Brown said. "Blinkers probably switched him on a little bit, but he's as genuine as they come. The race set up well and he was presented in great order by Ciaron. What a thrill for the owners. He's back to his best. I'm speechless. "Not many horses can do that. His sectionals would be off the chart. That feeling he gives you, you can't compare it to much. It is unreal. It would be like winning a Grand Final in footy terms. I'm so proud of this horse and I'm glad he got the job done today." Maher also cut an elated, and slightly emotional figure post-race, having just become a father for the second time in recent days. "He was going the same with or without them," Maher said on the addition of blinkers. "I think it was just the run he likes to have. Browny was very confident that he wanted to ride him like the Oakleigh Plate. Just let the speed go. "He jumped terribly and he rode him confidently and went at the right time. When he lets rip, there's no better horse. I'm just thrilled. He's such a little ripper of a horse. To have him out of form or not quite at his best is a hard pill to swallow, but that was pretty special. God, he was electric then." On winning five of the nine races scheduled on the card, including four of those being stakes contests, Maher added: "It's an amazing day. Alice (partner) and my two daughters, they'd be watching on and I wish they were here. "I could not be more proud of the team. We've got an amazing team." As for what is next for Jimmysstar, a second crack at next month's The Everest (G1) was at the forefront of Maher's mind, having run third in it last year. "The Everest, probably, certainly heading that way on the big track at Randwick," he said. Jimmysstar now has 12 wins and a further nine placings from 30 career starts, with prize money passing over the AU$10 million mark on Sunday and half of his 12 of wins arriving at his favorite track Caulfield. He was bred by Pete and Chrissy Algie in partnership with Little Avondale Stud, with the Algies and stud proprietors Sam and Catriona Williams retaining an ownership interest in the sprinting star. A son of Little Avondale's Per Incanto, he is a brother to group 3 winner Charms Star and to the progressive last-start hat-trick winner In'kantosstar being out of the Feilding Gold Cup-winning mare Anniesstar. Per Incanto is standing for an improved fee of NZ$75,000 (plus GST) for 2026.