New Zealand-bred sprinting sensation Ka Ying Rising might be the talk of this year’s A$20 million The Everest (1200m), but compatriot Jimmysstar will be out to spoil the party.
The Group One-winning son of Per Incanto has secured the slot of the TAB for the October Sydney showpiece, much to the delight of his connections, headlined by prominent Australian owner Ozzie Kheir.
“We had an expectation as owners on what we thought Jimmy’s pecking order would be in The Everest and he has probably negotiated on par a fair deal between the owners and TAB,” Kheir told SENTrack.
“We had a few interested parties and we went with what we thought was the right deal for us and the right partner, and the TAB came out on top.
“We had a view of what we wanted, and they had a look at it and came back to us and it was pretty much in line with our expectations. It was pretty smooth and we got it wrapped up pretty quickly.”
The son of Per Incanto was initially trained in New Zealand by Guy Lowry, for whom he won two of his three starts before his sale to Kheir and subsequent transfer to leading Australian trainer Ciaron Maher, for whom he has won seven races, including the Gr.1 Oakleigh Plate (1100m) and Gr.1 All Aged Stakes (1400m).
“Jimmy has always had the ability,” Kheir said. “I think the difference now with Jimmysstar is that he (Maher) has got him mentally right. He has also been able to put on some serious muscle, he looks unbelievable. He looks like a sprinter now.”
Per Incanto is also the sire of another Ozzie Kheir raced star in Gringotts, who is also trained by Cairon Maher, and won the Gr.1 George Ryder Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill in March.
“We bought Jimmy and Gringotts at similar times,” Kheir said. “Gringotts was just after a trial and Jimmy had a couple of starts. They are probably our two best horses, both by Per Incanto, and they (Little Avondale) have been great to deal with.”
Gringotts could also be in for an exciting spring preparation, with plenty of elite-level targets in the mix.
“We will go down the weight-for-age path with Gringotts, he might kick-off in the Winx Stakes (Gr.1, 1400m),” Kheir said.
While excited about the spring campaigns of his two Group One-winning Kiwi-breds, Kheir is also excited about the prospects of a couple of other youngsters sourced from New Zealand, including Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m) heroine Leica Lucy and stakes winner Sergeant Major.
“I have a big opinion of Leica Lucy,” he said. “She had a really big campaign and I think she came to the end of it. She ran well against Treasurethe Moment, so I think there will be some exciting times with her.
“We have got one at Ciaron’s that I hope is the next Jimmysstar or Gringotts, and that is a horse called Sergeant Major. He probably hasn’t shown as much as I would have liked so far, but I just think he is one of those ones that is one to watch out for this year, I think he is on the improve.” – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk
