Jimmysstar denies Extragalactic in Manikato as Pride Of Jenni wins third Feehan
Jimmystar’s late charge gave Ciaron Maher another Group 1 at Caulfield, while his star nine-year-old mare Pride Of Jenni extended her Feehan Stakes streak.
Jimmysstar returned to his best form in emphatic fashion, surging past Extragalactic to win Sunday’s $2 million Group 1 Manikato Stakes at Caulfield.
Trainer Ciaron Maher also won the Group 2 Feehan Stakes with Pride Of Jenni, who claimed the race for a third straight year. The pair accounted for two of his five winners on the card.
Ridden by Ethan Brown, the $6.50 Jimmysstar beat Extragalactic by three-quarters of a length over 1200 metres in 1:08.24. Last year’s Manikato winner, Charm Stone, finished a long head farther back in third.
Jimmysstar jumped poorly, but Brown let the speed go before bringing the seven-year-old into the race late. Maher said Brown had wanted to ride him as he did when they won the 2025 Oakleigh Plate.
“He jumped terribly and he rode him confidently and went at the right time,” Maher said.
Jimmysstar wore blinkers for the first time. However, Maher felt the gelding had been going just as well without them and gave more credit to the ride, while Brown thought the gear had helped a little.
“He had a couple of flat runs but I think he’s a ‘get back go’ sprinter. That’s his go,” Brown said.
Jimmysstar had finished ninth, beaten five lengths, in the Memsie Stakes at Caulfield on August 29. His 2025 Group 1 wins came in the Oakleigh Plate and CF Orr Stakes at Caulfield, while he also won the All Aged Stakes at Randwick.
“To have him out of form or not quite at his best is a hard pill to swallow but that was pretty special,” Maher said.
“The Everest, probably, certainly heading that way on the big track at Randwick.”
James McDonald was pleased with Extragalactic’s effort in defeat. “She was super. Gallant in defeat. She executed beautifully and she’s got a big win in her,” he said.
Pride Of Jenni led throughout the 1600-metre Feehan under Declan Bates and beat Treasurethe Moment by 1½ lengths. Pounding finished third. The nine-year-old mare started the $1.85 favourite and won in 1:35.32.
“I didn’t even go for the whip in the end. I could feel her. She was giving me everything,” Bates said.
“To have her back at this age and arguably in as good a form as ever, it is quite remarkable,” Maher said. Pride Of Jenni has now won 14 of her 49 starts and earned $12.8 million in prize money.
The Group 2 Stocks Stakes on the same card went to Changing Colours, who gave trainer Lucy Yeomans her first Group 2 win. Yeomans’ partner Blake Shinn rode the six-year-old mare to a length victory over $2.15 favourite Sass Appeal, with Too Darn Discreet third.
Yeomans said she would assess Changing Colours before deciding whether to press on towards the Toorak Handicap or Empire Rose Stakes. “She owes us nothing and if she’s a bit tired and doesn’t want to keep on with it tomorrow, we’ll send her to the paddock,” she said.
The Group 2 Bill Stutt Stakes was taken out by the Chris Waller-trained Godolphin colt Diameter, who edged out Somethings Burnin’ in a tight finish.
The winner will now head to the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas on October 10.
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