The 2025 Oakleigh Plate results at Caulfield on Saturday went the way of swooper Jimmysstar who pulled out a big finish in the short-distance Blue Diamond Stakes Day feature to claim the Group 1 prize.

In the third elite level of the meeting, the Ciaron Maher trained speed sensation Jimmysstar ($7.50) celebrated his maiden Group 1 victory with an impressive first-up performance by the five-year-old son of Per Incanto in the $750,000 Oakleigh Plate (1100m).

It was a much-improved effort by the five-year-old whose only other Group 1 start had him finishing 10th behind Kimochi in the Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) to see out his spring last November.

Fresh he was flying late coming from nowhere off a brilliant Ethan Brown ride to overcome barrier 14 and put 1.25 lengths on the line over the beaten favourite, She’s Bulletproof, in an exciting Oakleigh Plate quinella.

Brown continued his incredible 2024/25 season, picking up his fourth Group 1 this campaign with his perfectly timed performance.

He was back last early on with the big Oakleigh Plate field running sizzling sectionals but didn’t panic allowing Jimmysstar to retain a nice rhythm before getting the room he needed to burst through late.

“I haven’t had a horse probably go as quick, ever. I’d love to see his sectionals late, he flew late,” Brown told Racing.com after the victory.

“What a training performance to have a 1400 metre horse fresh up in an Oakleigh Plate and run like that, it’s quite amazing.

“When I looked up and the field bunched, I thought, ‘geez we’re really in striking range here.’

“I straightened up on She’s Bulletproof’s back and thought, ‘I’ve just got to bide my time here, take a breath’, and once that gap opened, geez he let go well.

“I’d have to say he’s the best sprinter I’ve ridden, especially on raceday. He’s certainly come back a better horse, he showed his true colours last prep but he’s improved again.

“He’ll be winning big races again, don’t worry about that.”

In third to complete the minors two lengths off the Oakleigh Plate winner was last start Group 2 Rubiton Stakes champ Rey Magnerio.

She’s Bulletproof looked on the cusp of claiming her first Group 1 victory with Charlotte Littlefield’s class mare briefly taking the lead the closing stages before Jimmysstar came flying over the top of her late.

Maher was thrilled with the autumn campaign kick-off by Jimmysstar who could have more Group 1 sprint targets in sight over the coming months.

“He’s a very special horse. Well done to Ozzie Kheir and the team of owners. They’re great people,” Maher said.

“He’s got such a following, Jimmy. He’s always shown that sort of ability.

“Browny did say to me, ‘it’s about time (he won a Group 1)’ before the race.”

Looking ahead, the Group 1 TJ Smith Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on April 12 presents as a potential race for Jimmysstar who is at $11 in the updated all-in markets at Ladbrokes.com.au for the $3 million feature.

2025 Oakleigh Plate Results

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