Where’s it gone wrong with Jimmysstar?

Widely regarded as one of Australia’s top sprinters, the son of Per Incanto hasn’t lived up to his high expectations this preparation, failing to finish inside the top two in each of his four runs this autumn.

In fact, in the six-year-old gelding’s most recent sprint, the Doomben 10,000, he finished outside the placings despite jumping as the $2.50 favourite with Sportsbet.

With each of those losses coming at Group 1 class this season, Trav Noonan has raised the question: Is Jimmysstar still capable of winning a Group 1 at 1200m?

“The big talking point out of the race is the number one sprinter in Australia from the spring, Jimmysstar,” Trav started on RSN's Correct Weight.

“He's come back this preparation and failed to run a top two performance in four runs at Group 1 level.

“Now, there's got to be a genuine question mark on whether he's capable of winning a Group 1 at 1200m.

“He looks like he's lost all of his speed this campaign. He looks like a horse who's crying out for more distance.”

Trav’s brother, Nick, chimed in on the conversation, even stating that it is debatable for Jimmysstar to hold the title of being the number one sprinter from the spring.

“Can you even hold that title if you haven't won a race at 1200m for a while?” Nick questioned.

“Like in the spring he won the Russell Balding and the CF Orr at 1300m and 1400m. It seems like that's where he's going to be at his best.

“He has had some bad luck this campaign… but there’s no doubt he’s not racing at his best.”

Despite being out of form and questioning the gelding’s ability at Group 1 level across 1200m, the Noonan brothers agreed that the sprinter will most likely run in the $20 million Everest, even if he can’t win that sprint.

Nick: “The Everest is a huge carrot, obviously Ka Ying Rising's going to be incredibly hard to beat for anyone trying to take on that race.”

“You’d think he’s in The Everest, but is that really a winnable race for him?”

Trav: “No.”

“It's an interesting problem they've got because he's going to get picked for an Everest.

“Because the reality is, even in the form he's in, there's just not that many options for Everest slot holders.

“You can pick about five horses and then good luck if you don't get those first five that are Australian trained.

“Obviously Ka Ying Rising's going to get locked away. The next six, it's pretty hard to decide which horses you want.”

Ka Ying Rising is the $1.55 favourite to win the world’s richest sprint on turf while Jimmysstar is an $11 outsider.

Let's see if the gun sprinter can find his form again, in time for The Everest.

Imagine what you could be buying instead. For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au