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By Mark Brassel

Course specialist Life’s a Party could further enhance her Bathurst record when she tackles next Sunday’s $110,000 The Panorama (1300m).

The Mudgee-trained mare has raced at Bathurst just three times for two wins and a third.

“I’m not sure why, but for some reason she loves racing at Bathurst,” said trainer Mark Jones.

Life's a Party (Grant Buckley) cruises home at Bathurst. Image by Janian McMillan (Racing Photography)

Life’s a Party returned from a 22-week break and was placed at Bathurst and Dubbo before blotting her copybook record with an eighth (of nine) at Tamworth when sent out favourite.

“We’ve got to totally disregard that run,” Jones said. “Her first two runs back were great and then at Tamworth they dawdled, and she ended up leading which is not her go.

“Once that happens, she over-races and pulls her head off; she had to weaken over the last bit of the race.

“It should be a different scenario at Bathurst next Sunday and I think the race will pan out better for her.

“There’ll be a few of them that go quickly, and she can sit off the pace and will be hitting the line strongly.”

Jones has already booked top country jockey Mathew Cahill for the ride on Life’s a Party who will be legged aboard the six-year-old for the first time.

The Panorama is named after Bathurst’s legendary Mount Panorama and is run just under five weeks out from the $2m The Kosciuszko at Royal Randwick on 19 October, with sweepstakes tickets drawn this Wednesday.

The other feature on Sunday is the $50,000 Bathurst Cup (1800m) which carries eligibility for the $3m Big Dance at Randwick in November.

Bathurst Thoroughbred Racing has also named a few events after local legends including the Hugh Bowman Maiden Plate, Bill Aspros Cup, Tulloch Cup, The Barb Cup and the Rising Prince Cup with the day’s total prizemoney $370,000.

Sunday’s Bathurst Cup Day is themed a ‘Family Fun Day’ with entertainment including music, a jumping castle, Pooka Entertainment (balloon art/magician), face painting, food vans and a Fashions on the Field contest.

Meanwhile, it’s XXXX Gold Tuncurry-Forster Cup Day on Friday with a Calcutta at Tuncurry Beach Bowling Club on Thursday night.

“We’ll have a packed program of eight races with a Fashions on the Field, food stalls and bars, and some excellent live entertainment with James Keith and Matt & Johnny Zarb,” quipped TFJC’s president, Garry McQuillan.

“Our major sponsors are Broken Bay Pearls, Sails Apartments and Southern Sons Skip Bins with free local buses operating.”

UPCOMING NSW COUNTRY RACE MEETINGS
Monday: Grafton
Tuesday: Muswellbrook, Queanbeyan
Thursday: Lismore
Friday: Tuncurry, Goulburn
Saturday: Armidale, Griffith, Collarenebri (non-TAB), Geurie picnics (non-TAB)
Sunday: Bathurst, Coffs Harbour