Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou are weighing up whether to race the recently gelded Just Party in the Group 3 Hawkesbury Guineas or the benchmark 88 handicap at Hawkesbury on Saturday, both over 1400m.

The three-year-old will carry 56kg in the Guineas if chosen, or 58.5kg in the benchmark 88 race.

Ryan explained that Just Party was gelded after finishing eighth in the Group 2 Hobartville Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill on February 22.

A winner at Wyong in March 2024, Just Party has since raced in Stakes company, achieving Black Type placings in the Fernhill Stakes, Tapp-Craig, and Callander-Presnell during last spring’s Sydney Carnival.

After two disappointing autumn runs, Ryan decided to geld the horse, and Just Party has since returned stronger, winning his most recent trial at Randwick on April 24.

“He has come back a lot better as a gelding,” Ryan said. “He is a totally different horse now, and gelding might be the making of him.”

Nash Rawiller, who has ridden Just Party in both trials, will take the ride in whichever race is selected.