Jimando to miss Golden Slipper

Trainer Tony McEvoy has canned Golden Slipper plans for his smart two year old Jimando and will remain in Melbourne for the rest of the Autumn Carnival.

Adelaide’s leading trainer was very pleased with the effort of Jimando in the Group 1 $1m Patinack Farm Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on Saturday even though he was beaten seven lengths when fourth to the unbeaten filly Samaready.

“We thought he was the best colt in the race and that was exactly how it panned out,” McEvoy said.

“He had a terrible barrier and a wide run but he did a terrific job to finish fourth.”

Jimando jumped from the outside barrier in the field of sixteen and jockey Blake Shinn had no chance of getting anywhere near the fence and McEvoy was more than happy with the way the Commands colt fought to the line.

The Group 1 $3.5m AAMI Golden Slipper  (1200m) at Rosehill on April 7 is off the radar with McEvoy now looking at the Group 2 $250,000 Henry Bucks Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) at Flemington on March 10 as the alternative.

“He showed on Saturday that he is the perfect  VRC Sires’ Produce horse,” McEvoy said. “He’s looking for the 1400 metres now and that race should be perfect for him.”

McEvoy has no doubt that Jimando will come back a top class three year old in the Spring and has already earmarked the Group I Caulfield Guineas (1600m) as a major goal.

“He will be a terrific three-year-old,” McEvoy said. “Even though he is by Commands, there is plenty of stamina in his female pedigree, which should indicate terrific improvement.

“What he has done as a two-year-old has been terrific but we expect the sky will be the limit for him at three.”

After having no luck on Jimando in the Blue Diamond, Shinn was suspended by Racing Victoria stewards for causing interference for his winning ride on Upbeat in the Group 2 $180,000 BMW Caulfield Autumn Classic (1800m).

Shinn will miss nine meetings for careless riding and Hugh Bowman has been snapped up by trainer John Thompson to replace him on Hussousa in the Group 2 $200,000 Silver Slipper Stakes (1100m) at Rosehill on Saturday.

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.