阪神競馬場
In February 2012, Just A Way finished fourth in the Grade 3 Kisaragi Sho and then recorded his first important success when winning the Grade 3 Arlington Cup over one mile at Hanshin Racecourse. He was then moved up to Grade 1 class in May and finished unplaced in both the NHK Mile Cup and the Japanese Derby. After a break of four months, Just A Way returned in autumn to finish second in the Grade 2 Mainichi Okan and sixth in the Tenno Sho.