Jimmysstar (NZ) (Per Incanto) won’t contest Saturday’s Gr.3 Shaftsbury Avenue at Flemington, with connections opting instead to head to the Gr.3 Horsepower Newcastle Stakes on Friday.
Managing owner Ozzie Kheir confirmed the plans to Racing.com and said Jimmysstar will travel interstate on Wednesday evening.
“The temperature expected on Saturday in Melbourne was a big consideration to the change of plans,” Kheir revealed, with a forecast of 39 degrees for the Victorian capital.
Jimmysstar is a $2.20 favourite at Newcastle and had been rated a $2.30 chance at Flemington, with his likely absence from Flemington opening the race up for stablemate Berkshire Shadow and Amenable.
Friday’s race carries A$250,000 in prizemoney – A$50,000 more than at Flemington – and he has drawn the inside barrier with Tyler Schiller booked to ride.
Both contests are over 1400 metres.
Jamie Kah was to have ridden Jimmysstar from barrier four at Flemington, with connections still weighing up whether to accept a wildcard into the All-Star Mile at Caulfield the following Saturday.
Jimmysstar was beaten for the first time on Australian soil last start in the Elms Handicap by Makram.
