The Raconteur Stakes was the race that gave Brian Kersley his biggest success as a trainer and he returns to the Listed event at Belmont with high hopes again.
Kersley will saddle up last-start winner, My Jimmy and is confident the gelding can deliver on his potential when he lines up in a stakes race for the first time.
The Raconteur Stakes immediately came on the radar for Kersley following My Jimmy’s strong showing second-up when he outpointed favourite Antique Miss.
Kersley has a hefty opinion of My Jimmy, who has been to races seven times for three wins, one second and two thirds since his debut at Pinjarra last December.
Saturday’s looming clash with a top group of three-year-olds in the Raconteur Stakes will give Kersley a better barometer of My Jimmy’s credentials.
Kersley thinks the son of Jimmy Choux is up to the test.
“He’s a really nice little horse,” Kersley said to the Races WA.
“In all honesty he has probably exceeded my initial expectations.
“But, he just keeps raising the bar himself and his record overall is quite impressive.
“I thought he did it comfortably last start and every time he steps out his form elevates.
“This race wasn’t penciled in, it just happened and he ticked all the boxes at the right time.
“I think potentially he can go to bigger races but he’s still immature.
“I think he has the raw ability to be up there, we’ll probably have a better idea after Saturday.
“I think he will be better off against stronger opposition.”
My Jimmy has an ideal draw in barrier four and will be ridden by Jade Mc Naught for a second straight time.
She’s unbeaten on My Jimmy, maintaining a perfect strike rate from her two starts.
Kersley says McNaught’s style compliments My Jimmy.
“As silly as it sounds I think the horse likes the girls a little bit,” Kersley said.
“I hope she punches him out and settles closer to the front than the back.
“With cover just make sure he’s out in open air early enough.
“The Jimmy Choux’s as a rule seem to take a little bit to wind up, but I think he’s got a better turn of foot than most of the others I’ve had anything to do with.”
Kersley won the Raconteur Stakes previously with All Gee. The Fath gelding, ridden by Brad Parnham, scored by a long-head from Showy Chloe.
Kersley said the race still stirs up fond memories.
“To this point it’s the biggest race I’ve won,” Kersley said.
“It was a pretty fun day.
“A good bunch of people owned All Gee and it’s something I’m a bit proud of.
“It will be awesome to put two up on the wall.”
My Jimmy is into $8 with Tabtouch after getting out to $11.