Jimmysstar has solidified his position as the best sprinter-miler in the country, winning the Group 1 C F Orr Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on Saturday. The race, moved from early February to the end of Spring, marked the second running of the Orr Stakes in 2025, with trainer Ciaron Maher winning both editions.
Successful with Another Wil some nine months ago, Jimmysstar continued his outstanding Spring with a relatively fuss-free victory in the final Group 1 of the Melbourne Spring. Jumping well under Ethan Brown, the $1.75 favourite drifted back in the field but held a key positional advantage over danger Angel Capital, who settled last.
Chris Waller’s colt ran on well but never seriously threatened Jimmysstar, beaten a length into second, with a further length back to third favourite Evaporate ($5.50) in third. Maher said he was always confident in Jimmysstar’s ability to back up a heavy track win in the Russel Balding Stakes (1300m) last start in Sydney, suggesting he was only just getting to his pet distance.
“I know he’d had a few runs in big races but we only keep him fresh enough to run at six furlongs and he was better at 6½ and I knew he’d be better today,” Maher said. “Browny just rides him so well. He was in the driver’s seat most of the way. He’s got a great rapport with him and he’s a great fella.”
The win marked Maher’s 60th Group 1 winner, having achieved half of that number with former training partner David Eustace, while Brown notched his 10th Group 1 win and second aboard Jimmysstar, whom the jockey called his ‘favourite horse’. “It is well publicised, my love for him and it is obvious why. He is the ultimate professional. He gives me such an amazing feeling and he’s such a good horse,” Brown said.
