Just Fine has shown ups and downs in form since exploding onto the Australian stage with three strong victories.
Yet co-trainer Adrian Bott detects that the lightly raced eight-year-old is set to rediscover his best this autumn.
Just Fine joins Hoo Ya Mal and last year’s Brisbane Cup winner Campaldino as Tulloch Lodge runners in Saturday’s Group 3 Parramatta Cup (1900m) at Rosehill, with Bott advising punters against dismissing him lightly.
“I feel he’s back to where we had him originally,” Bott said.
“His last couple of trials have been encouraging. We’re pleased with him at home and in his work.
“Maybe out of our three, he seems the most forward, and the most suited by the race. Hopefully he can show that on his return.”
Just Fine has been absent since a distant finish in the Mornington Cup (2400m) back in April, while Hoo Ya Mal returns from a lengthy absence too.
A runner-up in the 2022 English Derby, Hoo Ya Mal peaked in Australia with a Group 2 Hill Stakes (1900m) podium spot 12 months ago, but Bott hasn’t abandoned hopes for the gelding to step up.
“The talent is there, but he’s a horse that does need a lot to go his way in the run,” he said.
“I want to see something from him first, but he’s got the potential to be very competitive in these types of races.”
Previous New Zealander Campaldino resumes after clinching the Brisbane Cup (3200m) in June to cap an excellent season.
Returned for spring racing without firing, his team elected for a prolonged spell focused on autumn targets like the Sydney Cup (3200m).
“He showed enough potential for us to pursue him as a tried prospect out of New Zealand, and he went from strength to strength last campaign when he went through his grades nicely and finished up with a very good win in the Brisbane Cup,” Bott said.
“We might have to be a bit more negative from that draw, which will make the task more difficult for him, but he’s got a nice campaign ahead.”
Drawn widest in the 14-horse field, Campaldino led the Tulloch Lodge trio in betting at $7.50 on Thursday, ahead of Just Fine ($9.50) and Hoo Ya Mal ($16).
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