Tim Clark predicts two-year-old Just Party will make his presence felt in better grade races after posting his maiden win at Wyong’s midweek metropolitan meeting.
By Justify, the sire of Golden Slipper favourite Storm Boy, Just Party ($1.40) atoned for his defeat as favourite at Newcastle earlier this month with a length victory over Lugarno ($21) in the Envu Handicap (1350m) on Wednesday.
While the performance was workman-like, Clark felt the Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou-trained colt did a good job considering he’d only had 12 days between races.
“It was a pretty short turnaround from his first run,” Clark said.
“I said to Gerald (Ryan), I reckon if this race was next week he would have won with a bit more authority.
“But it’s good to see him get on the board after a really encouraging debut run. He’s a horse that is going to go through the grades.”
Just Party holds a nomination for the Group 1 Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on April 6, although Ryan has indicated the Listed Fernhill Mile (1600m) a week later is the more likely option if they elect to step him up to stakes company.
Either way, Ryan is confident Just Party has a bright future and believes he will be better again next season.
“He’s a nice little horse. The old cliche, whatever he does now he will be a hell of a lot better three-year-old,” Ryan said.
“He’s still learning.
“He led up the other day, today he took the sit and getting around the corner the track looked a little bit tight for him with the rail out three metres, but he got the job done.”
A $110,000 Easter purchase, Just Party is out of Thorn Park mare The Party Stand, who won six of her 17 starts including the 2011 Group 1 NZ Stakes (2000m) at Ellerslie.
Just Party gave his trainers and Clark the first leg of a Wyong double, the trio later combining to win the fifth race with Pierro filly Pajanti.
The filly has now won her past two starts and could also be considered for a race over the carnival.
🥳 Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou have a reason to party after Just Party won the opener at @WyongRaceClub!@GRyanRacing pic.twitter.com/YTa9dsRnpL
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) March 20, 2024
