A brilliant workout on the track at Cranbourne by Jimmysstar has prompted Ciaron Maher to ponder a surprise entry in the Newmarket Handicap.
Maher indicated he would discuss with the owners of the sprinter prior to confirming acceptance in the Group 1 1200m dash at Flemington this Saturday.
The team under Maher had originally targeted the gelding’s comeback in the Group 1 William Reid Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on March 21, followed by trips to Sydney for the Group 1 T J Smith Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on April 4 and the Group 1 All-Aged Stakes (1400m) a fortnight after.
Mark Zahra travelled to Cranbourne on Tuesday to test Jimmysstar, stepping in as usual jockey Ethan Brown serves a suspension until month’s end.
Zahra is engaged for Tenytris in the weekend’s headline sprint yet would partner Jimmysstar should the gelding proceed directly to William Reid Stakes.
Entries for the Newmarket Handicap close Wednesday morning.
“Mark’s coming back from his ‘fake broken leg’, but he was pretty keen to get down here this morning and he worked super,” Maher joked.
“I will have a chat to the owners, and it will be either this race or the William Reid, but I think Jimmy is coming up really well.
“We only gave him a short time off and we wanted to keep him active.
“The planning has been to only have one run here and then go to Sydney for the T J and the All-Aged, but I’ll have a chat to the owners after today’s work.”
If the stable opts out of running Jimmysstar on Saturday, Benedetta steps up for Maher following her solid third placing in the Group 1 Lightning Stakes (1000m) at Flemington on February 14.
Benedetta faces Lightning victor Tentyris carrying 4kg less for that 1-½ length loss.
This marks Benedetta’s third attempt at Newmarket success, having placed fourth and tenth previously under Jason Warren.
Maher noted Benedetta delivered an outstanding first-up effort, her finest in four outings for his stable.
“Last prep, whether we were working out, or she didn’t come up as well, she’s certainly come up better and certainly her coat, and her action, is a pretty good reflection of that,” Maher said.
“She was super the other day. She ran close to a PB. I thought she looked fantastic and I think she’s held that through to this race.
“We haven’t had to do a lot with her. She was very fit and right to go and couldn’t have hit the line any better.
“The 1200 (metres) is going to be ideal. I think she will hit the line pretty hard.
“It’s going to be a slick race, but I think she’s come on again.”
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