The Anthony & Sam Freedman-trained Right To Party ($3.80) has come with a withering burst to claim the Group 3 Aurie’s Star Handicap (1200m) at Flemington on Saturday afternoon.
The daughter of Zoustar has been racing in a rich vein of form, making it a hat-trick of wins at the course and distance with Jye McNeil in the saddle.
It was another patient steer aboard the lightly raced four-year-old that paid dividends, with McNeil allowing Right To Party to settle towards the rear of the field throughout the 1200m contest, leaving Zarastro ($4.40) and The Astrologist ($5.00) to battle it out for the early lead.
Jamie Kah was able to dictate terms aboard the Brisbane raider in the middle stages, allowing Zarastro to stride clear under a hold with 400m left to travel.
Rocketing By ($23.00) and Nicolini Vito ($6.00) launched their claims from behind the leading pair, while track and distance specialist It’sourtime ($7.00) was making his run down the grandstand side of the course.
Zarastro looked to be bounding clear with the prize in the final furlong, however, it was the well-supported favourite, Right To Party, passing by all challengers on her way to claim her first Group level victory.
2024 Group 3 Aurie’s Star Handicap Replay – Right To Party
Co-trainer Anothony Freedman was on course to represent the stable and spoke to the improvement of Right To Party, crediting his fellow trainer for change of fortune.
“We liked her from day one, but she just wasn’t doing it, and we were probably training her wrong,” said Freedman.
“To Sam’s (Freedman) credit, he’s turned this mare around and we did nearly nothing with her, she’s obviously just great up the straight, and I think a bigger field will suit her too. If we can get her into one of those big sprints she could do some damage potentially right down in the weights.
“I think she’s matured mentally, and she’s got into the habit of winning now, and obviously the straight has opened up doors for her so I’m sure there will be other races for her, and big gaps between runs as well.
Jye McNeil spoke after the victory and was impressed with how well she’s going through the grades in preparation for a possible spring campaign.
“We’re just admiring how good she is and how she keeps rising to the occasion,” said McNeil.
“She’s really matured as an athlete, going the right way, and definitely doing everything we’ve asked her.
“It was a nice enough tempo and she just relaxed beautifully. I identified It’sourtime as the one to follow and he dragged me right into the race, and then she obviously was able to put them away with her brilliant finish as we’ve seen over her couple (wins), and she’s an exciting filly.”
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