Gai Waterhouse will get an even better gauge on Life Of The Party’s potential when the unbeaten filly tackles older horses at Randwick on Wednesday.
Life Of The Party made a favourable impression in winning a maiden at Canterbury last month but the three-year-old filly will line up against mares in the Clovelly Handicap (1400m) on the Kensington track.
“She is up in distance and grade after beating the three-year-olds the other day, but she’s done everything right,” Waterhouse said.
“I’m happy with her and she looks well. She seems to be a filly on the make and might end up being a very nice mare.”
The daughter of Choisir won a 740-metre barrier trial in May last year but wasn’t seen again in public until scoring two trial wins at Randwick in March.
The three-year-old started a $2.60 favourite on debut on April 20 and led all the way in the 1200-metre maiden to post a two-length winning margin.
“A few little things just held her back but she’s going ahead in leaps and bounds now,” Waterhouse said.
“And whatever happens tomorrow she will definitely keep improving.”
Waterhouse would have preferred to keep Life Of The Party to her own age on Wednesday but opted for the fillies and mares race with few other options available.
“It’s always difficult taking on older horses,” Waterhouse said.
“I’m not sure (if she’ll handle it) but I think she will. I think she’ll progress into a very nice mare.”
Life Of The Party is one of three Tulloch Lodge three-year-olds to run at the Kensington meeting including Crossbow in the Bronte Handicap (1300m) while Golden Rose runner-up Squamosa will have an exhibition gallop between races with stablemate Devils Arcade.
Crossbow burst onto the scene last winter and emerged as a possible Golden Rose contender but was spelled after a disappointing performance as favourite in the Rosebud Quality on the final day of last season.
He returned with a second under 61kg at Gosford on Anzac Day and Waterhouse expects an improved showing on Wednesday.
“He’s back and I’m happy with him,” Waterhouse said.
“He showed a lot of promise (last preparation) and I think he’ll show it again this preparation.”
Waterhouse has Charing Cross in the final race, the TAB Number 1 Club Handicap (1800m), which features the Peter Snowden-trained Peck who will put his Queensland Derby credentials on show.
Peck finished an eye-catching fifth against older horses in the Listed Rowley Mile (1600m) last start and is the second favourite for the Group One Queensland Derby (2400m) on June 11.
TAB Sportsbet’s opening market has Peck a clear-cut $2.10 favourite for the Randwick race.
AAP TURF
