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Canberra based trainer Paul Jones is looking to aim lower with talented mare Just A Blur this preparation, a metropolitan win being their key focus.
While unable to salute the judge last time in, the daughter of Dane Shadow raced in great order and wasn't beaten far in stakes company.
She notably finished a close fifth behind Catkins in the Group 2 Breeders Classic [1200m], before finishing second in the Country Championship Qualifier [1400m] at Goulburn.A game fifth in the Country Championship Final [1400m], Just A Blur went on to not be disgraced in the Group 1 Queen Of The Turf [1600m] when unsuited by the slow tempo.
Set to make her return on Friday at Thoroughbred Park, Just A Blur hasn't had an official trial in the lead up, however Jones said she had impressed in her sole jump-out."She does have a lot of improvement left in her, her coat is nowhere near ready, but what she has done so far with the preparation she has had, I'm really happy with her," Jones said.
"About four weeks ago we were happy with the way she was coming up so we decided to target this race."She has only had the one jump-out albeit a very good one, she lined up against the likes of Unanimously and a couple of other fast horses and she was able to finish right on their hammer.
"They came home in very slick time and it was a nice piece of work."Due to contest the third event, Jones felt Just A Blur look suited in the small field and is expecting a forward showing.
"The small field definitely suits her, if it's an even tempo I think she will probably settle two or three lengths off them, if she is that close I think she will be hard to hold out," Jones said.Just A Blur notably broke her maiden status at the Joseph and Jones Raceday two years ago, when too strong over 1300m.
A winner of four of her 20 career starts and a winner of over $100,000, Jones said a metropolitan win was their main goal for this preparation."We haven't sat down and mapped out a concrete campaign for her," Jones said.
"At this stage we really just want to get some wins in Sydney on the board."Even with what she has achieved so far she still hasn't won in town.
"At this stage we are looking to crawl before we walk, just looking to get her confidence up before possibly looking at bigger goals."