Just Party heads to Rosehill on Saturday with one of the strongest résumés in the field, though his racing style has often made winning a challenge.
The four-year-old was Stakes-placed behind Broadsiding at two, pushed Lady Shenandoah to less than a length in Group grade at three, and was narrowly beaten in both the Tapp-Craig (1400m) and Callander-Presnell (1600m) last year.
Despite that consistency, his record sits at just one win from 14 starts due to his back-running pattern that relies heavily on race shape.
Co-trainer Gerald Ryan rates him among the sharpest horses in the yard.
“If you want him to, nothing will run a better sectional than him,” Ryan said.
Ryan has placed him more conservatively this preparation, aiming to boost his winning opportunities.
He lines up in a $160,000 Benchmark 94 over 1400m and will remain in similar races through summer.
“There are a few of these benchmark races coming up in the next month,” Ryan said.
“I think there’s three he can run in, so he’ll be aimed at them, and we’ll just try to get some stake money.”
Just Party steps out second-up after a flashing run for fifth at Newcastle earlier this month in a race that heavily favoured leaders.
His Brisbane winter runs offered little guide, with the Fred Best Classic (1400m) moved to Doomben — a track he disliked — before struggling on Eagle Farm in the Gunsynd Classic (1600m).
“When the race meeting was called off at Eagle Farm and transferred to Doomben, Doomben wasn’t his track and it was bad going,” Ryan said.
“Then he went to Eagle Farm, Nash (Rawiller) rode him, and he wouldn’t stretch out at Eagle Farm like a lot of horses.
“But he has come back well. His two trials were good, and his run at Newcastle was good.”
Rosehill hosts no feature races this weekend — the first Saturday since August 2 without a Black Type event.
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