Jimmy Choux will have one more run at Hastings before the Cox Plate

Trainer John Bary has announced today that Jimmy Choux will be given another run at Hastings before heading to Australia for the $3 million Cox Platenext month.

While the four-year-old entire was due to go to the Cox Plate third-up into his spring campaign, Bary will now run the son of Thorn Park in the Group 1 New Zealand Bloodstock Insurance Spring Classic on October 1.

Jimmy Choux won his most recent start in the Group 1 Windsor Park Plate at Hastings last weekend ahead of Mufhasa and Hold It Harvey.

“He did what I thought he’d do and he’s done it well,” Bary said.

“I’m just about to work him again today.

“My plans were obviously to go on to the Cox (Plate) from here but he may twist my arm and race here (at Hastings).”

Bary made the decision to give Jimmy Choux another start after he showed signs that he was looking for another run.

The trainer believes he didn’t take into account the fact Jimmy Choux is a four-year-old horse as well as the fact that all his races have been at his home track with no tiresome travelling.

“I think I’ve underestimated (those) two things,” he said.

“It’s just taking nothing out of him.”

Bary feels the weight-for-age Spring Classic will be the perfect preparation for the Australian Cox Plate.

“(It is the) last Group 1 of the carnival (and) it’s over a very nice distance of 2,040 metres,” Bary said.

“From there it will be a three week gap to the Cox Plate.”

The trainer has fended off criticism that New Zealand form will not stand up in the Melbourne spring.

“I have a look at the time he’s run,” he said.

“That’s all that interests me.

“I just know the horse and where he’s at.”

Jockey Jonathan Riddell will once again partner Jimmy Choux in both the Spring Classic and the Cox Plate.

“He’s very underrated,” Barry said.

“If he was naturally three or four kilos lighter he’d be someone that would be challenging (the likes of) James McDonald.”