Jockey Jye McNeil and Right To Party chase Flemington hat-trick in Group 3 Aurie’s Star Handicap

Jockey Jye McNeil wants to get the Melbourne racing season started ‘right’ on Saturday with a Group 3 success at Flemington ahead of an enforced three-week break.

Jockey Jye McNeil wants to get the Melbourne racing season started right on Saturday with a Group 3 success at Flemington before an enforced three-week break.

McNeil is ineligible to ride from Sunday to Friday August 23, having picked up careless riding suspensions from Caulfield and Sandown last Saturday and Wednesday respectively.

A third-straight Saturday winner for Anthony and Sam Freedman, this time on Right To Party in the Group 3 Aurie’s Star Handicap (1200m), would offer some consolation for McNeil.

Right To Party was McNeil’s first winner back, on June 8, after he missed six weeks with a fractured fibula.

McNeil has ridden 19 winners the past two months, including seven for team Freedman.

Right To Party bursts through the pack, exploding late to comfortably win the Creswick Sprint Series Final, our last of the day at HQ.

📽 @7HorseRacingpic.twitter.com/apLp2mcx1z

— Victoria Racing Club (@FlemingtonVRC) July 6, 2024

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The 2020 Melbourne Cup-winner is determined to stay fit, healthy and out of the stewards’ room with spring on the horizon.

“Form over winter has been great, which is something I planned for,” McNeil said.

“Obviously got the suspensions to deal with straight into the new season but then hopefully get back to working hard and building into the spring carnival.

“I’ve faced my challenges throughout last season, as a lot of people can do, but a nice clean crack at a new season would be ideal.”

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McNeil has seven rides on Saturday, including Flemington straight hat-trick contender Right To Party.

A $3.70 favourite with TAB for the Aurie’s Star Handicap, Right To Party has finished hard to win her past two starts at Headquarters.

“I’ve felt good improvement each time,” McNeil said.

“The stable has just got her going really well and spaced her runs nicely and she seems to be in a really good position and performing very well, she’s an exciting horse.

“She’s a horse that seems to be happy and improving and when a filly or mare gets into that frame of mind that’s when they’re at their best, which she obviously is.”

Originally published as Jockey Jye McNeil and Right To Party chase Flemington hat-trick in Group 3 Aurie’s Star Handicap