But her driver hopes her bid at the Ashburton Cup will end up better than her last visit to the track in October.
The 8yr-old finished sixth in the last race on Flying Stakes Day, although those in front of her included Art Union, Have Faith In Me and Willow.
Today's field for the $22,000 feature is small - just six runners remain after Here We Go Again was scratched - but that does not mean the mare's task is any easier.
She is one of two horses off the 10m mark. The other is former New Zealand Derby winner Locharburn, who has settled back nicely into the racing groove after long layoffs with injury.
New Years Jay's last run was on December 12, when she finished fourth behind Maverick - another race rival today.
Cox said it was a tidy effort considering her lack of race hardness.
‘‘To be honest, I was happy enough,'' Cox said.
‘'She hadn't raced since Show Day and obviously she had no trials or workouts into her. But she would need to improve off that run for Boxing Day.''
New Years Jay has shown enough on the manners for Cox to not be too concerned about the standing start tapes - particularly with only one other horse on the 10m mark.
‘‘She can step pretty quick when she wants to, so hopefully we can ping away,'' he said.
‘‘There are a couple of nice ones in front of us [Brilliant Strike and Maverick] and I'll say they will bowl along pretty good, so if she can trail, that would be handy.''
Today's cup is also New Years Jay's first look at the extreme distance of 3200m, but that does not worry Cox.
‘‘She relaxes during the running, so I don't think two miles will be a problem for her.
‘‘I can see it being a walk and a sprint home and that probably plays into her favour as well.''
Cox rates his other six drives as all having chances ‘‘depending on the luck in the running'', but quite likes the two trotters he drives for Tim Butt.
Beg Hall (race 5) steps up into the c1 grade after winning at his second start, and Cox has already had a steer behind Muscle Hill gelding Menewa, who has his first start today.
‘‘I drove Menewa at a workout and he seems a nice horse - he's one to follow further down the track.''
