Improving mare Right To Party becomes first mare in 25 years to win Aurie’s Star Handicap

Right To Party emerged as a lightweight contender for spring sprints as she ended a run of outs for mares in the Group 3 Aurie’s Star Handicap.

Right To Party (left) swoops home to win the Group 3 Aurie's Star Handicap at Flemington on Saturday. Picture: Vince Caligiuri/Getty Images

Flemington straight specialist Right To Party made history on Saturday as the first mare in 25 years to win the Group 3 Aurie’s Star Handicap (1200m).

Right To Party swallowed up a small field from last to finish over the top of the leader – Queensland raider Zarastro – and It’sourtime, last year’s Aurie’s Star winner.

Hula Wonder was the last mare to win the Aurie’s Star in 1999.

With the win, Right To Party, trained by Anthony and Sam Freedman, completed a hat-trick down the Flemington straight and emerged as a lightweight contender for spring sprints.

“We liked her from day one and she wasn’t doing it, we were probably training it wrong, but to Sam’s credit … he’s turned this mare around,” Anthony Freedman said.

“We do nearly nothing with her, she’s obviously great up the straight and I think a bigger field will suit her too.

“If she could get into one of those big sprints she could do some damage, potentially, right down in the weights.”

Right To Party wins the Aurie's Star in style! ⭐@[e-mail]/ijilaz3ShB

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Right To Party showed ability last year, late in her two-year-old season, then lost her way a fraction, as a spring three-year-old, racing well without success.

She resumed in Adelaide last May, placed second in the Group 3 Proud Miss and trained on to win three on the trot at Flemington.

“She’s matured mentally, she’s got into the habit of winning now and obviously the straight has opened up doors for her,” Freedman said.

“I’m sure there’ll be other races for her and big gaps between runs is the key for her too.”

Freedman has options monthly at Headquarters with the Bobbie Lewis Quality (September 14), Gilgai Stakes (October 5) and Begonia Belle Stakes (November 2).

“I wouldn’t be going anywhere else at the moment and the gaps suit her, four weeks, four weeks, four weeks, something like that,” Freedman said.

“There’s probably races she could go to in September and October but she’ll probably only run three times between now and the end of the spring.

“Horses like that are very easy to train, you don’t have to do much with them, just keep them sound and happy.”

Jye McNeil gives Right To Party a pat after winning the Aurie's Star Handicap. Picture: Vince Caligiuri/Getty Images

McNeil, set to start a 20-meeting suspension on Sunday for separate careless riding infringements, has piloted winners for team Freedman the past three Saturdays.

He lauded Right To Party’s progression and performance.

“She’s really matured as an athlete and going the right way, definitely doing everything we have asked of her and enjoying the ride,” McNeil said.

“It was a nice enough tempo and she relaxed beautifully, I identified It’sourtime as the one to follow and he dragged me right into the race and she obviously was able to put them away with her brilliant finish … she’s an exciting filly.

“You can feel the class all about her, she’s obviously down in the weights against seasoned horses, you feel a really good finish and hopefully that can take her a long way.”

Originally published as Improving mare Right To Party becomes first mare in 25 years to win Aurie’s Star Handicap