Who would have thought Party For One would be racing for three successive wins when she started her campaign with the Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr yard.
But after wins over 1400m at Flemington on May 13 and June 3, Party For One is back at Flemington on Saturday to contest the Bruce Gadsden Handicap (1400m) in search of a winning hat-trick.
Formerly prepared by Joe Pride in Sydney, Party For One arrived at Price and Kent Jnr’s stable with one win to her credit from 16 starts, a Kembla Grange maiden victory.
However, she did show promise at Stakes level, finishing in the placings twice at Group 3 level which gave her connections some heart.
Now after 20 starts, Party For One is a three-time winner.
Party For One has been ridden by Blake Shinn in her last two starts, the first time from barrier five then last time from gate 12.
The mare has a wide draw again on Saturday – barrier 13 – and Kent Jnr said it will be all up to Shinn.
“I was legging Blake Shinn up at Sandown yesterday (Wednesday) and he asked, ‘what barrier did we draw’,” Kent Jnr said.
“I just smiled, and he said ‘oh, don’t tell me’.
“Anyway, I told him it’s all up to him. We’ve got her going great again and she’s ticked over beautifully.
“She loves the Flemington 1400 (metres), and she has got the class to win, but as you do with all races, you need luck to go your way.”
Party For One’s two wins this campaign have been in benchmark 78 grade with Saturday’s race being a benchmark 90 grade, although in reality it is a benchmark 84 with the topweight Megamea the highest-rated galloper.
As such Party For One will carry 59.5kg on Saturday, 0.5kg less than her last start victory.
“She was an 83-rater in a benchmark 90, but there was a lack of depth above us, so they had to raise the weights,” Kent Jnr said.
“I think she’s well in again, given some of her performances back through her career. Hopefully she can put herself into a good tactical position again.”
Kent Jnr said the stable had not looked any further than Saturday with the mare.
“Maybe we could press on, or freshen for the spring, but we can work that out after Saturday,” he said.