‘No pressure’: Maher relaxed as Everest hope Jimmysstar makes his return

1 week ago 4

By Craig Kerry

September 4, 2025 — 4.00pm

Top trainer Ciaron Maher is taking a relaxed approach to the result when Jimmysstar’s rejigged preparation for The Everest starts on Saturday at Randwick.

But he has hopes Willydoit can deliver on debut for the stable and stamp himself as an Epsom Handicap contender.

Jockey Ethan Brown salutes aboard Jimmysstar (centre) in the group 1 All Aged Stakes at Randwick in April.

Maher, the three-time defending Australian premiership winner, will test The Everest hope over 1000m for the first time when he resumes off two trials in the $1 million Concorde Stakes.

Jimmysstar, which won the group 1 Oakleigh Plate over 1100m and All Aged Stakes at 1400m last preparation to secure his Everest slot, was to return in the group 2 The Shorts (1100m) at Randwick on September 20 and tackle the $20 million showpiece second up there on October 18.

Maher, though, has changed to repeat the preparation of his Everest champion from last year, Bella Nipotina, and give Jimmysstar two runs – the Concorde and Premiere Stakes – into the 1200m grand final.

“I don’t think he’s been over the 1000, but it just works timing-wise,” Maher said. “Originally, I was going to have a look at The Shorts, then in [to the Everest]. But just the way he’s come up, it just works, I feel.”

Bella Nipotina (right) holds off Giga Kick (left) in The Everest last year.

A $10 Sportsbet chance for the Everest, Jimmysstar has come from back in the field to finish third in two Gosford heavy track trials this time in. The six-year-old faces a tough task with 60.5 kilograms and gate 11 on Saturday but is still a $5.50 hope.

Maher, though, is concerned less with the result and more about the performance.

“His two trials have been good; he’s just been in his usual pattern,” he said.

“No pressure, as long as he’s hitting the line, because if there’s a few speedsters in there, which there will be, I’m not overly concerned.

“It’s more just about getting him going. The 1200 [Premiere Stakes on October 4], it should be more to his liking, then freshen him up.

“[The wide draw] doesn’t matter to him anyway. He gets back usually and you’d think over 1000 it’s only going to multiply that a little bit more, but it’s a big track Randwick.”

New Zealand Derby winner Willydoit, resuming in the 1400m group 2 Tramway Stakes, is Maher’s other definite runner at Randwick.

The gelding came to Maher from Kiwi trainer Shaun Clotworthy after finishing fourth behind a dominant Aeliana in the ATC Derby when on debut in Australia in April.

Despite Willydoit’s success over 2400m, Maher is looking to the 1600m Epsom Handicap on October 4 as a potential target. He is $13 from barrier 15 on Saturday.

Willydoit takes out the New Zealand Derby in March.

“He’s shaped up pretty well,” Maher said. “He’s big, raw, leggy. He looks like a Derby horse, but he does have a lot more toe than your regular Derby horse.

“I think some of his best rating races were over a mile. He’s prepped up good, but the barrier gods, they’re not with me at all this week.

“We’ll see how the race looks, but you would think from out there, he’s just taking his medicine and poking through. But he does have a turn of foot when he’s fresh.

“I thought the Epsom might be a nice race for him. Just where he’s at with the rating, big track and given some of his best rates were a mile.

“The fact that he did it all in one prep means he’s still relatively untapped.”

Meanwhile, Maher is excited about the likely return of Golden Slipper placegetter Tempted in next week’s Run To The Rose.

The Percy Sykes and Reisling Stakes winner trialled impressively at Randwick on Tuesday and looms as a potential runner for owners and slot-holders Godolphin in The Everest.

“Everything’s on the table for her,” Maher said. “The Godolphin team are always very measured and methodical, but the signs are very good from her.”