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By Ray Hickson

It didn’t matter how many rides Ethan Brown could have had in Melbourne on Saturday, there was no way he wasn’t coming to Randwick to partner Jimmysstar in the Group 1 $3m Asahi Super Dry TJ Smith Stakes (1200m).

Jockey Ethan Brown (Pic: Racing Photos)

Brown has ridden in Sydney only once, that was back in November when he partnered Attrition who ran fourth in the Five Diamonds at Rosehill.

The 26-year-old has compiled eight Group 1 wins to date and seven of those have been for Jimmysstar’s trainer Ciaron Maher, who he says he's developed a strong friendship with, including the gelding’s Oakleigh Plate and more recently last week's Australian Cup on Light Infantry Man.

“He was a good horse last prep but he’s come back a better horse and that’s why I’ve given up rides at Caulfield for one ride at Randwick,’’ Brown said.

“It’s well and truly worth it in my book.

“I’m very happy to go for the one (ride) and he’s a good one at that. With even luck he’ll be in the money I feel.”

If ATC Derby fifth emergency Black Babylon happens to gain a start Brown will have a second Group 1 ride but he's heading to Randwick thinking it's all about Jimmysstar.

It’s an illustration of the opinion that Brown has quickly developed of Jimmysstar, $8.50 with TAB on Wednesday, that he would want to follow the horse wherever he goes given he’s only ridden the horse twice.

The first was in that dominant Group 1 Oakleigh Plate (1100m) in February and he says luck didn’t go his way when third in the Group 1 William Reid (1200m) at Moonee Valley two weeks ago.

That was on the well publicised leader dominated track and Brown said his chances went out the window as soon as the gates opened.

He still attacked the line from last on the turn behind all the way winner Schwarz.

“He stepped a bit slow the other day and it was game over,’’ he said.

“He put the writing on the wall first-up in the Oakleigh Plate and last start he was on a track where he wasn’t suited.

“He spat the bit at the 600m on a leader’s track, it would have had to be the run of the day in my opinion the ground he made up. He’s a very good horse.”

Just over a year ago Jimmysstar was the centre of plenty of discussion when he was beaten as a long odds-on favourite in a race at Flemington when ridden forward by Craig Williams.

He then ventured to Newcastle and was again defeated at an odds-on quote when barrier one brought him undone in the Newcastle Stakes but he's taken big steps forward since then.

What Brown can say about Jimmysstar is that he’s continued to improve and when looking at the TJ Smith he feels a barrier away from the fence is in his favour.

“I’m definitely confident, a bigger track, the race looks like it will set up well for him and he’ll get his chance,’’ he said.

🇦🇺AUSTRALIA(Moonee Valley) 22/03/2025 : (GR.1) Schwarz(Zoustar/Summer Sham By Not A Single Doubt)

Wins POINT MOTORS WILLIAM REID STAKES

3 years old & upwards
1200m Turf(01:11:83)

O : @RosemontStud
T : @JohnOSheaRacing
J : @jamieleemott

2nd : Benedetta
3nd : Jimmysstar pic.twitter.com/aXVPRIT6gz

— NAHEEZ RACING نحيز ريسنغ (@musallamqatan) March 22, 2025

Jimmysstar runs third in the Williams Reid

“He’s drawn a bit wider which probably suits his racing style at the sprint trips. It gives him more of a chance to balance up.

“I’ll keep it simple, he gets back in his sprint races so you can’t reinvent him. He comes from a different form line but I’m certain he can measure up to this Group 1.

“His rating off his first-up win was through the roof so if he can replicate that he’s a serious player.”

All the fields, form and replays for Day 1 of The Star Championships at Randwick