Willy Jimmy Wide but Ready for Tatt’s Mile Ride

June 24, 2011

Willy Jimmy Wide but Ready for Tatt’s Mile Ride

Warwick Farm trainer Guy Walter will take a chance with his in-form five-year-old Willy Jimmy this weekend, backing the last-start Eagle Farm winner up for a shot at back-to-back Brisbane black-types in the Tattersall’s Mile.

St Germaine and Willy Jimmy

Willy Jimmy beating home St Germaine at Eagle Farm a fortnight ago - both horses will back up this Saturday

One of eight quality features on Saturday’s Eagle Farm race programme, this year’s $100,000 Listed Tattersall’s Mile (1600m) is shaping up as a strong showdown with a number of livewire chances in the line-up.

Early favourite is Roger James’ Kiwi galloper Firebolt, the Corey Brown-mount drawn ideally in gate two and fresh after a five week break before which they won the Group 3 Lord Mayor’s Cup (1615m) at Doomben on May 21.

Another top fancy in this year’s Tattersall’s Mile field is Dehere gelding Willy Jimmy, the horse with some work to do from their wide barrier 13 of 18 draw.

A winner of seven of their 25 starts to date, including the 2010 Goulburn Cup, Will Jimmy has a very imposing record over the mile.

The horse has nine times raced over the Tatt’s Mile distance of 1600 metres, their efforts producing five wins, three seconds and an unlucky sixth.

After running a close second to Dysphonia in the Listed Scone Cup (1600m) last month, Walter bought Willy Jimmy to Queensland to target some end-of-winter features.

“I thought it was a terrific run in the Scone Cup and he was very unlucky,” Walter said.

In their first ever run in Brisbane the miler didn’t disappoint, Willy Jimmy scoring a one and a quarter length victory over one of this Saturday’s Group 1 Tattersall’s Tiara hopefuls St Germaine in the Listed Strawberry Road Handicap (1600m) at Eagle Farm on June 11 – Stradbroke Handicap Day.

Showing his liking for the roomy Eagle Farm track, Walter was impressed enough with the win to go against Willy Jimmy’s usual campaign spacing and will saddle him up this Saturday giving the galloper just two weeks between runs.

“He’s raced better that way (the Queensland way of racing),” Walter said.

“He’s very much a big track horse which is why Eagle Farm suits him.

“We’re taking a bit of a risk here cause he’s only getting two weeks.

“He has backed up and won before, one example is the Goulbourn Cup.

“He can do it but as a rule he is at his best when his runs are spaced.”

Another negative for Willy Jimmy is their wide barrier 13 draw, regular rider Rod Quinn to take the mount for the sixth time on the trot.

“He’s drawn a much worse gate tomorrow then he did last start (five),” Walter admitted.

“Rodney (Quinn) knows the horse well…it depends how the race is run but he’ll have to ride him quietly out of the gates.

“And as always you need a lot of luck with those gates.”

Racing fields and data are copyright 2011-2021 © Racing Australia Pty Ltd (RA) (and other parties working with it).
Racing materials, including fields, form and results, is subject to copyright which is owned by RA and other parties working with it. Full copyright notice.

Spring Racing

Military Mission Fires in 2023...

Zipping Classic 2023 Field �...

Zipping Classic 2023 Field & Odds Update: Vow And Declare Defends Title

Danny O’Brien’s 2019 Melbourne Cup winner Vow And Declare continues to show a...

Overpass Heads 2023 Winterbott...

Overpass Heads 2023 Winterbottom Stakes Field & Betting Markets

Bjron Baker’s The Everest performer Overpass is tipped to return to winning...

Osipenko Leads The Gong 2023 R...

Osipenko Leads The Gong 2023 Race Field & Betting

The Chris Waller-trained Pierro four-year-old Osipenko is firm favourite in...

2023 Railway Stakes Field ...

2023 Railway Stakes Field & Betting Update: Tuvalu Narrow Favourite

The Lindsey Smith-trained top-weight Tuvalu is narrow favourite in the latest...

Horse Racing Today

2024 The Galaxy Results: Zapat...

Golden Slipper Results 2024: L...

Golden Slipper Results 2024: Lady Of Camelot Beats Coleman, Storm Boy Third

Co-trainer Gai Waterhouse extended her record to eight victories in the 2024...

2024 George Ryder Stakes Winne...

2024 George Ryder Stakes Winner Veight Beats Older Rivals

Veight joined an elite list of three-year-olds to beat home the older horses...

Rosehill Guineas 2024 Results:...

Rosehill Guineas 2024 Results: Riff Rocket Flies Home Late Ahead of ATC Derby

Chris Waller’s VRC Derby winner from the spring, Riff Rocket, now has the...

2024 Ranvet Stakes Results: Vi...

2024 Ranvet Stakes Results: Via Sistina Too Good Debuting for Waller

Yu Long Investments lucrative European purchase, the now Chris Waller-trained...

Race Results

2024 The Galaxy Results: Zapateo Upsets Sunshine In Paris

Golden Slipper Results 2024: Lady Of Camelot Beats Coleman, Storm Boy Third

Imperatriz Defends Title in 2024 William Reid Stakes

2024 George Ryder Stakes Winner Veight Beats Older Rivals

Rosehill Guineas 2024 Results: Riff Rocket Flies Home Late Ahead of ATC Derby

Race Previews

UK Raider Post Impressionist Heads Tancred Stakes Field & Odds

2024 Australian Cup Field & Betting Update: Pride Of Jenni v Mr Brightside

Golden Slipper 2024 Tips & Betting Update

The Galaxy 2024 Race Field & Odds: Ozzmosis Leads Betting on Slipper Day Sprint

2024 Rosehill Guineas Field & Betting Update: Riff Rocket Set to Take Off

Fields & Form

UK Raider Post Impressionist Heads Tancred Stakes Field & Odds

2024 Australian Cup Field & Betting Update: Pride Of Jenni v Mr Brightside

Golden Slipper 2024 Tips & Betting Update

The Galaxy 2024 Race Field & Odds: Ozzmosis Leads Betting on Slipper Day Sprint

2024 Rosehill Guineas Field & Betting Update: Riff Rocket Set to Take Off