The six-year-old returned from a stint in a new running stable and shone in Menangle last night.
Back with his original trainer-driver Rickie Alchin, Watts Up Partytime (Majestic son) led all the way to beat a handy field in a slick mile of 1 minute, 53 seconds. He drove home in 55.3 and 27.4 seconds.
It was his first start since finishing ninth at Melton on October 18 last year.
Watts Up Partytime pulled off a huge upset by winning his heat and final of the Great Southern Star last year ahead of Kate and Andy Gath.
He switched stables for short stints with Chris Lang and Sonia Mahar before returning to Alchin in NSW late last year.
“All signs were that he was going to come back really well and he was good in a few tests, but I just wanted to see him do it in the races before we took him all the way to Victoria to race like the best,” Alchin said.
“That’s why I kept him here (Menangle) to race instead of going to the big race at Kilmore last night.
“He did everything I hoped for last night and we’ll continue next week. He felt fantastic.”
Watts Up Partytime adds much-needed depth and class to the Great Southern Star, which most believe will be dominated by the erratic Keayang Zahara, who has won 23 of her 24 starts, including 12 at Group 1 level.
WATTS UP PARTYTIME REPEAT
Keayang Zahara’s stablemate, Jilliby Ballerini, brilliantly won the Group 2 Kilmore Trotters’ Cup last night for her 14th win in her past 19 starts.
But she caused a false start on the first attempt at the race and has been placed outside the barrier draw for the heat and final of the Great Southern Star.
Through Adam Hamiltonfor Harness Racing Australia
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