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The futures price on the progressive Ciaron Maher trained Jimmy Recard in 2025 Caulfield Guineas betting has been slashed following the youngster’s tough win in the Group 3 Vain Stakes over the weekend.
A nicely bred I Am Invincible colt, Jimmy Recard dug deep to record his third win from four career starts on P.B. Lawrence Stakes Day when narrowly accounting for Tycoon Star in the Vain Stakes over 1100m.
He stamped himself as a serious spring contender, overcoming interference and a dramatic finish to notch his third consecutive victory.
Things didn’t go quite his way and jockey Jamie Melham was admittedly worried on the home straight with her mount copping a nasty bump with the eventual runner-up.
Showing nice maturity and fight for a horse his age however, Jimmy Recard shrugged off the interference and produced a gutsy late effort to claim victory.
“I know this horse has got talent and he’s really impressed me in his work and his trials, but I was concerned the penny had not really dropped with him yet,” Melham said post-victory.
“When he got that bump at the 200 (metres), I thought he would put the white flag up, but he didn’t and dug deep.
“He’s really grown and matured, and the penny has dropped with him now.
“He’s got some big wins in store.”
Jimmy Recard travelled sweetly on the rail but needed a gap to present. That opportunity came when outsider Shaggy hung out badly around the bend, causing a chain reaction that saw Shining Smile and Tycoon Star bumped off their lines. Despite the chaos, Melham kept her cool and drove Jimmy Recard through the opening.
After surging up the inside rail, Jimmy Recard defeated Tycoon Star by a half-head, with Express Class finishing third, 1½ lengths further back.
The Vain Stakes results made it a hat-trick for the emerging colt after he broke his maiden status at Gosford in June before a Black-Type win at HQ in last month’s Taj Rossi Sprint Final.
Having saluted for the punters as the $3.60 favourite, he is now earmarked for a shot at the Group $3 million Caulfield Guineas (1600m) over a mile on October 11.
Jimmy Recard has firmed notably in futures Caulfield Guineas odds online at Ladbrokes.com.au from $26 into $11 with Maher in the hunt for his second success in the Group 1 after taking it out with Griff in 2023 in partnership with David Eustace.
“I think he’s improving every time he runs,” Maher said.
“He’s a very well-bred colt, a great type, and he’s got a bright future.”
Assistant trainer Jack Turnbull confirmed that the colt’s next likely targets include the Group 3 McNeil Stakes at Caulfield on August 30 and Listed McKenzie Stakes at The Valley on September 6, both over 1200m, as connections assess his suitability for stepping up in trip.
“For Bennett Racing, it’s fantastic to have another colt with this kind of potential,” Turnbull said.
“Plenty of good colts have won this race, and hopefully he’s another.”
Jimmy Recard’s win continues a strong tradition for Maher and Bennett Racing, who previously campaigned Southport Tycoon to Group 1 success before retiring him to stud. With similar aspirations, Jimmy Recard may soon be following in those footsteps.
Maher is keeping options open should Jimmy Recard show signs of not running a strong 1600m with the stable also naming Flemington’s Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) on VRC Derby Day as a potential end of campaign option.
Jimmy Recard is a $15 shot in early Coolmore Stud Stakes betting.
2025 Vain Stakes Results
Vain Stakes 2025 Results
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1st
5. Jimmy Recard (1)
J: Jamie Melham 56kg
T: Ciaron Maher |
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2nd
1. Tycoon Star (2)
J: Mark Zahra 58kg
T: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes |
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3rd
7. Express Class (4)
J: Patrick Moloney 56kg
T: Gerard Moloney |
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4th
6. Sonofkirk (7)
J: Jye McNeil 56kg
T: Anthony & Sam Freedman |
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5th
2. Shining Smile (5)
J: Daniel Stackhouse 57kg
T: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes |
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6th
8. Hay Street (6)
J: Ethan Brown 56kg
T: Annabel & Rob Archibald |
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7th
4. Shaggy (3)
J: Ben Melham 56kg
T: Allan Kehoe |
CHANCES ARE YOU’RE ABOUT TO LOSE.
For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au.
