Jimary Star Has Ross Lismore Cup Dreaming

MAL Ross' decision to throw caution to the wind has resulted in his first ever Group race finalist.

Mal's Jimary Star (Fernando Bale-Clover Cottage) was supposed to run in the John Stollery series on the program, but at the last moment he gave up that idea and tossed him into the heats of the Group 2 Lismore Gold Cup.

And, Jimary Star repaid Mal's confidence with a brilliant 29.82 victory over Oski and Cooper Dooper to make the rich final next week.

“He felt so good going into the race, and I admit the small field helped as well,” said Mal of the victory.

“I was confident that if he could lead he would be hard to run down and that's how it turned out. He ran a marvelous second split which set up the win.”

Ross is disappointed the dog has drawn box six in the rich finale.

“I wish I could change the rug colour from unlucky green to the old brown colour,” he said. 

“Darryl Schafer, who established the damline, was very superstitious about green and it has stuck with me.”

Mal says the final is a tough race with all eight runners having great chances.

“Oh Mickey looks to be the best drawn of them in the two and you would think he will improve greatly on his heat run,” he said.

“But, gee Fred's bitch (All Hands Off) was impressive. I don't think anyone has seen the best of her yet.”

Oh Mickey's trainer Selena Zammit will be represented by two finalists, the other being heat winner Sequana who ran 30,08 to down Hello Mavis and Bad Neighbour in her heat.

Sydneysider Mark Moroney landed Fire Legend, not long back from a successful career in Victoria, winning his heat in 29.79 beating Best Fit and Key West.

Local star All Hands Off scored in the quickest of the four heats with a 29.70 display beating Oh Mickey and Fran's Bonus.

Lismore Cup Final (in box draw order): 1 Oski, 2 Oh Mickey, 3 Sequana, 4 All Hands Off, 5 Fire Legend, 6 Jimary Star, 7 Best Fit, 8 Hello Mavis. Res: 9 Fran's Bonus, 10 Key West.