The start will shape the finish for three-year-old Just Party when the backmarker kicks off his latest campaign in the Eskimo Prince Stakes at Randwick.
Just Party has had a tendency to be sluggish out of the gates and at times it has proved costly.
While it is anticipated he will again settle back in the field in Saturday’s Eskimo Prince Stakes (1200m), co trainer Sterling Alexiou hopes natural maturity and improvement will help negate his lack of gate speed.
“His barrier manners have just let him down a touch, given he quite often settles back and gives himself a fair bit to do,” Alexiou said.
“But he’s got a really good turn of foot and I’m looking forward to seeing where he sits among the better colts heading towards the Randwick Guineas.
“He has always shown good talent and he’s starting to put it together.”
Just Party was competitive in good company during the spring, finishing less than a length from subsequent Flight Stakes winner Lady Shenandoah in the Ming Dynasty Quality (1400m) and runner-up in both the Tapp-Craig (1400m) and Callander-Presnell (1600m).
Alexiou says the horse has developed physically and has been working well in the lead-up to his return.
“He’s got a lot stronger, he’s really good through the shoulders and hindquarters now,” Alexiou said.
“You will see a much more furnished animal at the races and hopefully he has taken that next step in regard to his performance race day.”
“The 1200 will probably be short of his best and barrier one isn’t an ideal gate for him as he is notoriously sticky out of the gates.
“He is a horse that appreciates galloping room and he is going to need some luck from there, but he’s going well and he will run very well with good improvement to come.”
All being well, Just Party will follow a traditional Guineas path through the Hobartville Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill on February 22.
