Arctic Glamour: Aiming for Black Type Glory at The Invitation
As the excitement builds for Saturday’s Group 2 race, The Invitation (1400m) at Randwick, trainer Gerald Ryan, in partnership with Sterling Alexiou, is optimistic about the chances of their consistent four-year-old mare, Arctic Glamour. This race presents a prime opportunity for Arctic Glamour to enhance her resume with some coveted black type, a significant achievement in the racing world.
A Year of Consistency
Despite not having won a race in over a year, Arctic Glamour has shown remarkable consistency on the track. Her last victory came at Randwick, where she triumphed in the Listed Reginald Allen Quality, defeating Joliestar. Since then, she has placed three times at the Group 2 level, showcasing her ability to compete against top-tier competition. Most recently, she finished fifth in the prestigious Group 1 Epsom Handicap (1600m), just 2.1 lengths behind the winner, Ceolwulf. This performance highlighted her potential and resilience, even in the face of tougher challenges.
Insights from Trainer Gerald Ryan
Ryan shared his thoughts on Arctic Glamour’s recent performances, noting her determination and effort. "She keeps putting in, having a go," he remarked. He reflected on her run in the Epsom Handicap, where she had a favorable draw and a light weight, suggesting that if she were ever going to excel at the 1600-meter distance, it would have been in that race. Unfortunately, despite a promising run, she fell short against the elite competition.
Looking ahead to The Invitation, Ryan expressed confidence in Arctic Glamour’s ability to perform well at her preferred distance of 1400 meters. "She’s won at 1400 (metres) here, she runs well here on this track," he stated. The trainer emphasized the importance of weather conditions, noting that Arctic Glamour thrives on firm ground. "Provided the weather stays fine, well, she’ll be very competitive," he added, setting the stage for an exciting race day.
Kerrin McEvoy Takes the Reins
To further bolster Arctic Glamour’s chances, renowned jockey Kerrin McEvoy has been booked to ride her in The Invitation. However, the mare will have to navigate a challenging barrier draw, starting from barrier 14. This positioning adds an element of strategy to the race, as McEvoy will need to find a way to position Arctic Glamour effectively amidst the competition.
Just Party: A Promising Colt’s Next Challenge
In addition to Arctic Glamour, Ryan and Alexiou are also preparing their promising Justify colt, Just Party, for the Group 2 Callander-Presnell (1600m). Just Party is set to face off against the Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott-trained Anode, who narrowly defeated him in the Listed Tapp-Craig (1400m) at Rosehill last start. This matchup promises to be a thrilling contest, as both horses are eager to prove themselves.
Building on Recent Performances
Although Just Party has only secured a victory in a two-year-old race at Wyong, his form has been impressive, particularly against notable competitors like Broadsiding and Lady Shenandoah. Ryan noted that Just Party was unlucky in the Tapp-Craig, where he flashed late but couldn’t secure the win. "He’s done well since his unlucky run the other day," Ryan commented, indicating that the colt has bounced back positively.
However, there are concerns regarding Just Party’s ability to handle the 1600-meter distance. Ryan acknowledged this uncertainty, stating, "There is a question mark on the 1600 metres with him." He believes that if the race unfolds favorably and Just Party can secure a good draw, he has the potential to perform well. "I think if the race could set up right for him and he could get a nice draw, I think he’ll run it," Ryan explained.
A Strategic Draw for Just Party
Just Party has drawn the inside barrier for the upcoming race, which could play a crucial role in his performance. Ryan expressed optimism about the advantages of running at Randwick, noting that the track conditions could favor his colt. However, he also made it clear that if Just Party struggles again at the 1600-meter distance, a reevaluation of his racing strategy may be necessary. "If he fails again at 1600 metres, he won’t go back there," Ryan stated firmly.
As race day approaches, all eyes will be on Arctic Glamour and Just Party as they take on their respective challenges at Randwick. With their trainers’ insights and the horses’ recent performances, fans can expect an exhilarating day of racing filled with potential triumphs and thrilling moments.