Mayfair on notice to bounce back in the Hobartville Stakes

Adrian Bott isn’t offering excuses for Mayfair’s poor first-up performance, but he remains confident the colt can recover at Rosehill.

The three-year-old had a difficult time in the Eskimo Prince Stakes (1200m), where he was unable to cross from a wide gate and ended up racing three-wide outside the pace.

He faced pressure approaching the home turn and faded to finish second-last, with the stable unable to pinpoint any issues post-race.

Given his strong spring performances and continued good form at home, Bott remains hopeful that Mayfair will find the Hobartville Stakes (1400m) a better fit.

"There were probably a few surprising things out of that race, his early speed being one, so he had a run that was a bit tough," Bott said, reflecting on Mayfair's Eskimo Prince Stakes run.

"He had to cover a bit of ground, but it was on-pace dominated and he gave ground sooner than we would have liked to have seen."

"But maybe there are a few things he can turnaround."

"He does get the addition of a tongue tie, which is the only gear change we’ll be making going into Saturday. I think the additional distance will help and maybe getting back to Rosehill will be an advantage for him."

Just Party, too, was underwhelming in the Eskimo Prince, leading trainers to remove the blinkers for his second-up run in the Hobartville.

Co-trainer Gerald Ryan noted that Just Party had been too eager with the blinkers and lacked finishing power.

"He raced too keenly the other day and he is better ridden back off them and let hit the line," Ryan said.

"So we’ve taken the blinkers off and from barrier ten he’s going to have to go back."

"If he can’t run a decent race in this he will be dropping back in grade, or he’ll be being two-stone lighter."