Exciting New Zealand galloper Jimmy Choux will make his only Sydney Autumn Carnival appearance in the Group 1 $500,000 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) at Randwick on Saturday.

Jimmy Choux

Jimmy Choux will have his only Sydney Autumn Carnival run in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes - photo (c) Steve Hart

Trainer John Bary will restrict Jimmy Choux’s Sydney starts to one then head up to Brisbane for the Winter Carnival with the Group 1 $500,000 Kirks Doomben Cup (2000m) at Doomben on May 19 his main goal.

Bary said that the Thorn Park four year old has settled in well in his Sydney surroundings and has taken up residence in the same stable he occupied last year when he won the Group 1 $500,000 Flinders Lane Rosehill Guineas (2000m) at Rosehill before finishing sixth to Shamrocker in the Group 1 $1.5m David Jones AJC Australian Derby (2400m) at Randwick.

“He just got on the plane and went to sleep. He’s back in the box where he was last year and he’s happy to be there,” Bary said.

Jimmy Choux had one run back from a spell in New Zealand before flying out and pleased Bary with a seventh to Veyron in the Group 1 NZ$200,000 Manco Easter Handicap (1600m) at Ellerslie on April 14.

“It was exactly what I expected and he was only two and a bit lengths from the winner under his big weight,” Bary said.

“He will improve three or four lengths with that.”

Jimmy Choux hasn’t won since taking out the Group 1 NZ$300,000 NZBI Spring Classic (2040m) at Hastings on October 1 last year but was a gallant second to Pinker Pinker in the Group 1 $3m Tatts Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley on October 22.

Kiwi jockey Jonathon Riddell has been aboard the four year old for eleven of his twelve wins and will be in Sydney during the week to partner him in track work in his lead up to Saturday.

The Queen Elizabeth is shaping up as one the highlights of the Autumn Carnival with the rematch of Manighar and Americain after their clash in Group 1 $2.25m The BMW (2400m) at Rosehill on April 7 when Manighar had the upper hand.

And Gai Waterhouse has comfirmed that Doncaster Mile winner More Joyous will back up along with Sincero and Secret Admirer.

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.