The managing owner of Just Pay Up admitted the mare may finally be starting to reach her potential after a come-from-behind win in the second Sam' Liquid Waste & Hire Class 1 Handicap (1320m) at Dubbo Turf Club yesterday.
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Stephen Ryan, son of trainer Don Ryan, said after purchasing Just Pay Up three years ago the connections were starting to see some rewards after successive wins at Narromine and Dubbo.
The mare was at the back of the field at one stage yesterday but jockey Eleanor Webster-Hawes positioned herself perfectly as they entered the straight and flew home to win by three lengths from Hollywood Nell (Michael Travers, $3.20 fav.) and Blinkin Elle (John Kissick, $5).
"She's just taken time to mature and she's just starting to realise what it's all about so we're very pleased and Eleanor really knows how to ride her so we're delighted," Ryan said after the win.
"We were worried if we were backing her up too quick (after Narromine) but she's done everything well between runs, we gave her one bit of smart work on Saturday and was terrific."
Alibota (Daniel Northey, $31) led from the start until the field reached the home straight while My Harriet (Kacie Chater, $21) and Hollywood Nell were also well placed.
But no one could stop the speed of Just Pay Up ($4.60) as she mowed down the entire field.
Ryan admitted the mare was usually far from impressive during track work but was hopeful the back-to-back wins would point to a more successful future.
"You wouldn't want to buy her by what she does on the track, she waits until race day and she loves to get to the line now she's matured so we're hoping she might get some more ground, maybe go a mile or a mile-and-a-quarter," he said.