Star Kiwi colt Jimmy Choux had met every challenge climbing to the top in New Zealand and he conquered another with a decisive victory in the G1 Rosehill Guineas on Saturday.

Jimmy Choux (3c Thorn Park – Cierzo by Centaine) left his Australian rivals without any excuses after powering home to defeat Retrieve (Rahy) and Shamrocker (O’Reilly) at the end of 2000 metres.

He joins a Rosehill Guineas honour roll alongside NZ bred champions Phar Lap (Night Raid), Tulloch (Khorassan), Dulcify (Decies) and Octagonal (Zabeel).  

Trainer John Bary is confident Jimmy Choux can emulate those legends who all went on to claim the G1 AJC Australian Derby (2400m).  “I knew how good he was back home but he had to do it here,” Bary said.  “I still believe he’s a better sprinter-miler but he’s up against his own age in the Derby so it’s the better way to go.”

Jimmy Choux started a $4.60 favourite in the Rosehill Guineas after winning 6 of his 8 starts across the Tasman earlier this season.   

He was beaten a nose first-up in the LR Wanganui Guineas in September and then reeled off wins in the G2 Hawke’s Bay Guineas, G1 NZ 2000 Guineas, G2 Great Northern Guineas, G3 Wellington Stakes and G3 Waikato Guineas before a stirring victory in the G1 New Zealand Derby on March 5.

Jimmy Choux is a homebred for Richard and Liz Wood of Chouxmaani Investments.  His sire Thorn Park was a G1 winner of the Stradbroke Hcp and stands at Windsor Park Stud for a fee of $13,500.  His dam Cierzo is a daughter of LR Castletown Stakes winner Gale (Wild Rampage).

The Woods have already been presented with Group 1 silverware at Randwick.  They raced Count Chivas (Lord Ballina) who did best in a slogging finish to the 1996 Sydney Cup.

After the Rosehill rout, Jimmy Choux firmed into $2.80 favouritism for the AJC Australian Derby on April 9.