Racing: 4 week gap shouldn't hurt Jimmy Choux

Jimmy Choux (No 1) wins the Great Northern Guineas on Boxing Day. Photo / Getty Images

John Bary says he doesn't know if Jimmy Choux will be vulnerable in tomorrow's $70,000 Phil Cataldo Bloodstock Wellington Stakes.

But he suspects his $837,175 winner will not be despite a four-week gap since last racing.

Bary tried the month between races last time and Jimmy Choux walked away with the Great Northern Guineas at Ellerslie.

The difference this time, he says, is that he hasn't worked the horse as hard as in his Ellerslie lead-up.

"I've been wary of the [firm] tracks because his worst enemy would be to jar him up.

"He jarred up on a firm track before the Sires Produce last season and was beaten. In fact, I think he did well to finish third."

Raceday rider Jonathan Riddell galloped Jimmy Choux this week and told Bary he was pleased.

"All we can do is put the saddle on him and send him around."

Jimmy Choux should get away with things because Roger James is resigned to the fact the 1600m will again prove too short for his $2.2 million Derby favourite He's Remarkable. James was delighted with He's Remarkable's performance to make ground on the leaders from the back of the field against strong opposition in a very fast run 1400m at Ellerslie last start. He believes against Jimmy Choux at 1600m this time the scenario will be the same.

"He rounded off his Ellerslie race very well and he'll be doing the same again, but at the draws Jimmy Choux should boxseat and he's a class miler."

James cannot wait to get He's Remarkable to the 2000m of the Waikato Guineas in two weeks.

"I'm very happy with his preparation. I've had to sit on my hands, but we'll get there eventually."

Jetset Lad and Starcheeka look two tough opponents.

Jetset Lad has improved with each start for John Wheeler and there was a lot to like about the way he finished off to win stylishly at Tauranga last time.

Starcheeka resumed from a spell in the same race, in which he was checked in the home straight when appearing to be travelling well.

He didn't sprint once into the clear, but is the type of horse that needs to keep his momentum rolling.

MIKE DILLON'S VIEW

BEST HOPE

Twilight Savings could be New Zealand's best hope to repel the strong Australian attack on the $1 million Telegraph. In the Cambridge filly's favour is she has already beaten the weight-for-age horses in New Zealand this season. "This is a big step up, but she is a weight-for-age winner," co-trainer Murray Baker said yesterday.

DESERVES IT

Mill Duckie produced one of the runs at the Ellerslie carnival with no cigar. She should go close in the Trentham Stakes.

GETS DISTANCE AGAIN

The 1200m was no good to King Raedwald last start. Watch him over 1600m at Trentham with no weight on his back.

JOCKEY TO FOLLOW

Hugh Bowman might surprise a few in the jockey challenge.

APPROPRIATE

If Veloce Bella won the Mills Reef Winery Trentham Stakes on wine challenge day. She is part owned by the team from Mills Reef.