Jimmysstar ($2.50F) has confirmed his standing among Australia’s elite sprinters with a commanding win in the $3 million Russell Balding Stakes at Randwick.
The Ciaron Maher-trained six-year-old, ridden by Ethan Brown, settled midfield before storming home down the centre of the track to score by 2¾ lengths over Lady Shenandoah, with Mazu finishing third.
Stable representative Johann Gerard-Dubord said they had worked on refining Jimmysstar’s racing pattern.
“Obviously his biggest asset is his turn of foot,” he said. “His run in The Everest was good and to back it up two weeks later… he’s such a tough horse. He just keeps getting better.”
The win netted more than $3.4 million, including Racing NSW bonuses.
Brown, thrilled with the result, said: “I love this horse so much, he’s a beauty.”
Connections are considering a quick back-up in the Group 1 Champions Sprint at Flemington next Saturday.