Ciaron Maher assistant Jack Turnbull not concerned about inside barrier for Jimmysstar in Group 1 William Reid Stakes at The Valley

Assistant trainer Jack Turnbull explains how brilliant Oakleigh Plate winner Jimmysstar can overcome an inside barrier in the Group 1 William Reid Stakes on Saturday.

Brilliant Group 1 Oakleigh Plate winner Jimmysstar will be ridden like the best horse in the William Reid Stakes (1200m) on Saturday at The Valley.

Assistant trainer Jack Turnbull said genuine speed in the feature afforded Jimmysstar every opportunity from barrier two.

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“I don’t think we have to get as far back as we did in the Oakleigh Plate,” Turnbull said.

“As long as we don’t get back pocketed along the fence, which will be difficult from two, we ride him like the best horse, stay off the fence and go from there.

“I don’t think it’s going to be one of those tactical everyone looking at each other wondering what we we’re going to do races, most horses in the race have their roles.

“As a result I don’t think (barrier two is) going to be tricky as much as it could’ve been.”

Jimmysstar is the $2.90 favourite to win the William Reid from Oakleigh Plate runner-up She’s Bulletproof ($5.50) and Benedetta ($6).

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Group 2 Australia Stakes winner Schwarz ($8.50) looks the likely leader from barrier five.

Arabian Summer ($9) and Stretan Angel ($10) round out the top six in the market.

Jimmysstar forced a shot at the weight-for-age sprint after he surged to victory, somewhat unexpectedly, fresh under handicap conditions in the 1100m feature at Caulfield.

The dynamic come-from-behind win, Jimmysstar settled second-last from a wide barrier, put the William Reid on the agenda.

Jimmysstar finished powerfully to win the Oakleigh Plate first-up. Picture: Vince Caligiuri/Getty Images

“We don’t expect him to be winning Group 1s first-up over a sprint trip but we knew he was of that calibre, at 1100m first-up (was a question mark),” Turnbull said.

“His asset is good stamina to be a 1400m horse and obviously he’s quick enough to be fast enough over the 1100m and 1200m.

“If he does get back (from the barrier) he can sustain long runs to make his presence felt and if that’s the case Saturday I’m sure he’ll be in the finish.”

Jimmysstar must also defy recent history, with Flamberge (2016) the only Oakleigh Plate winner in the past 20 years to triumph in the William Reid Stakes.

However, Spirit Of Boom (2014) and Hellbent (2018) placed in Oakleigh Plates before their respective William Reid successes.

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Meanwhile, Turnbull expected Group 2 Alister Clark Stakes (2040m) favourite Shanwah and Another Prophet (Group 2 Sunline Stakes) to run well on Saturday.

Shanwah could be aimed at the Group 1 Australian Derby (2500m) in Sydney with a victory on Saturday at The Valley.

“We’ll get a good guide (Saturday), his gene suggests she should possibly get it (distance),” Turnbull said.

“If you’re ever going to find out you find out as a three-year-old and then you can come back and be a mile and a quarter horse, if that were to be the case.”

Another Prophet, the Group 1 Thousand Guineas winner last spring, “seems to be back on track” after three runs under the belt.

“She just couldn’t win from where she got to (last start Group 2 Kewney Stakes) because we had to go back from that draw,” Turnbull said.

“She’s an interesting runner because she’s drawn perfectly to be one-one, or two pairs back one off (the rail), there’s no reason to drop off her.

“Against the mares arguably, but we do have the weight relief.”

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She’s Bulletproof ticks ‘right boxes’ except one

Trainer Charlotte Littlefield has She’s Bulletproof primed for the Group 1 William Reid Stakes (1200m) on Saturday at The Valley.

Group 1 runner-up She’s Bulletproof has ticked “the right boxes” since the Oakleigh Plate last month.

“All we need now is to make sure there’s not too much rain,” Littlefield said.

The Valley received 9.5mm rain to 7am Friday followed by annoying drizzle and showers.

A genuine wet track is expected on Saturday, potentially on the better end of a Soft 5 should the forecast remain true.

She’s Bulletproof has raced almost exclusively on good tracks, her only run on soft being her maiden win, second career start, in 2023.

She’s Bulletproof is a $5.50 second favourite for the William Reid behind Oakleigh Plate winner Jimmysstar ($2.80).

Charlotte Littlefield would prefer a dry track for She’s Bulletproof at The Valley. Picture: Brett Holburt/Racing Photos via Getty Images

The consistent mare, a four-time winner from 12 starts and placed on seven occasions, has impressed jockey Craig Williams, a three-time William Reid winner, and Littlefield in recent jump outs and gallops.

She’s Bulletproof has drawn wide, barrier eight of nine, but should appreciate the room to move.

“I’m not too disheartened by the barrier at all, Craig knows her well, in Craig in trust,” Littlefield said.

“He’s well-equipped in knowing how to ride the track, the race, the horse … our horse goes well at The Valley.”

She’s Bulletproof has raced at The Valley twice, second on debut in 2023 and won a 1200m Benchmark 80 by six lengths last year.

The Group 3 winner’s rating has rocketed from 70 to 98 since The Valley romp last year.

“It is a magical ride,” Littlefield said.

“I actually have to sit down and pinch myself every now and again and think about how far we’ve both come... come from nowhere.

“It goes to show they don’t have to be half a million dollars at the sales, you don’t have to be born and bred into racing… but you can do it.

“It’s been pretty remarkable for the horse to get there (Group 1 contender) and I’m proud the horse is in the stable.”

Littlefield has the Group 1 Robert Sangster Stakes (1200m) in Adelaide next month slated as another option for She’s Bulletproof along with “lofty ambitions” to race abroad “potentially next year”.

Originally published as Ciaron Maher assistant Jack Turnbull not concerned about inside barrier for Jimmysstar in Group 1 William Reid Stakes at The Valley