Progressive Zoustar mare Right to Party keeps stepping up through the grades and her liking for the straight track at Flemington delivered another feature win when she arrived on the line to win the Group II VRC Gilgai Stakes (1200m) on Saturday.
Trained by Anthony and Sam Freedman, Right to Party got bogged in the heavy ground when fourth to Arkansaw Kid in the Group II VRC Bobbie Lewis Quality last month, but firmer footing saw her turn the tables on that rival.
She let down with a great turn of foot for Jye McNeil to catch Arkansaw Kid ion the line winning by a head.
"We were a little disappointed the other day. We thought she was going well and probably the track condition was the reason for the performance, but you have to say, we've got a really good team of staff,” said Sam Freedman.
"Great farrier, a great vet, and to keep a horse up like this for a long period of time takes a lot of work. So everyone involved, it's a big thrill.
"She raced through the winter, and I think to keep spacing her runs and for her to keep turning up and attacking the line like that, we've got ambitions to hopefully get her to a group one and hopefully it's down the straight.”
The Group I VRC Champion’s Sprint looms large next month as a possible target.
"Well, we think so. She's very dynamic fresh. She's obviously very good down the straight. She's probably better on really quick ground, which we're likely to get there,” Freedman added.
With five wins and five placings from 14 starts and prizemoney topping $630,000, Right to Party is onwards and upwards from here.
Right to Party is a homebred for Jonathan Munz and runs in the Pinecliff Racing colours. She is a half-sister to Group III winner Big Party and Group placed sprinters Top Me Up and General Groove being the sixth winner from seven foals to race from top producing Dehere (USA) mare De Groove, a sibling to Group III winner Taikun and stakes-winner Super Groove.
She is one of four stakes-winners this season for Widden Stud’s marquee sire Zoustar, who will cover a full book at $275,000 this spring.
