The Journey Continues

Mark Smith - Saturday August 17

On a quest for the Cox Plate and to take her place as the best in Australia, the Adam Tinder-trained Mystic Journey took her first steps to the spring with a convincing win in Saturday's Group II PB Lawrence Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield.

Making her first start since her emotional win in the rich All-Star Mile at Flemington on March 16, the Group 1 Australian Guineas winner extender her winning sequence to seven.

Advertisement

With regular rider Anthony Darmanin in the saddle, Mystic Journey came from one out and three back to run down the courageous Cliff's Edge (Canford Cliffs) by three-quarter of a length with old favourite Hartnell (GB) (Authorized) a long-neck back in third.


Purchased for $11,000 by Trinder out of the Armidale Stud draft at the 2017 Magic Millions Tasmanian yearling sale, Mystic Journey advances her record to 11 wins from 14 starts with earnings of $3,383,600.

"It's really pleasing to get them back to the races and see them do what you trust they're going to do," Trinder told AAP.

"This takes a little bit of pressure off and I feel she is where she needs to be."

Trinder said Mystic Journey was likely to start in the Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes at Flemington on September 14 although the Memsie Stakes at Caulfield on August 31, is an option, before the Turnbull Stakes at Flemington and then the Cox Plate

"That's what I'm thinking standing here but I'll make up my mind as the week transpires," Trinder said.

"Looking at her presentation and her nostril flare directly, I think we won't see her for a month.

"If she is to run in the Memsie she'll remain here for a Cox Plate campaign because with fortnight racing I don't want to be travelling with her all the time.

"She is more comfortable in her own environment."

Mystic Journey is the best of three winners from four to race out of the Colombia mare White Gold who is a sister to the stakes-placed Oronero.

Bred by Ralph and Peta Zito, Mystic Journey is a three-quarter sister to the Listed winner Mystic Pursuit (Needs Further) who is out of White Gold's unraced half-sister Oh So Gold (Savoire Vivre).

A full-sister to Mystic Journey made $55,000 to the bid of Ross Wilkinson at last year's Magic Millions Tasmanian Yearling Sale. She has been named Emerald Crown.

White Gold was not covered in 2016 but had a Fighting Sun filly last spring and was bred back to Fiorente.

Armidale Stud's Needs Further is a Group winning son of the champion Encosta De Lago and a half-brother to Darley Stud's dual Group 1 winner Hallowed Crown.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Marble Nine Brings Up Second SW For Aquis Sire Kobayashi
The withdrawal of the top weight in Saturday’s $175,000 Listed VRC Santa Ana Lane Sprint Series Final (1200m) at Flemington saw the field down to just six, with Marble Nine continuing his outstanding recent form to secure his first black type victory.
Sires With Winners - Saturday July 5
Here is the full list of 112 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Invincible 3YO Wins G3 Winx Guineas
The $300,000 Group III Winx Guineas (1600m) at the Sunshine Coast on Saturday featured a big field of 16 up and comers and following the late scratching of favourite Mister Bianco, Angela Jones took luck out of the equation on I Am Invincible gelding The Three Hundred.
Pride’s Outsider Estadio Mestalla Wins Winter Stakes
The lone stakes race on Rosehill’s ten-race card on Saturday saw Joe Pride’s race outsider Estadio Mestalla (Galileo Gold) take out the $200,000 Listed ATC Winter Stakes (1400m) in a boilover.
Sweet Redemption for Stable Favourite Jimmy the Bear
Patrick and Michelle Payne enjoyed a red letter day at Flemington on Saturday with their rising star Buccleuch winning the Listed VRC Taj Rossi Series Final and then later in the day stable favourite Jimmy the Bear won the Listed VRC Winter Championship Series Final (1600m).
Kiwi Bred Good Banter Finds Winning Form
Four-year-old mare Good Banter was back in the winner’s circle when narrowly prevailing in the Catanach's Jewellers Handicap (2000m) at Rosehill on Saturday for trainers John O’Shea and Tom Charlton.
Snitzel Filly Bridal Waltz Wins A.R. Creswick Stakes
While many felt the winner of Saturday’s Listed $175,000 VRC A.R. Creswick Stakes (1200m) had raced two weeks prior in the Shop Flemington Handicap (1100m) – and they would’ve been correct – but it was not the result many punters felt it would be!
Bold by Name and Bold by Nature - Bold Star
And maybe a Star by name and nature as well, the Gordon Richards trained 4Y0 so impressive recording a a tough and determined victory in Saturday's $140,000 Listed Kensington Stakes at Flemington.
Winning Run Continues for Needs Further
One weekend, three states, three winners.
Divine Prophet’s Fortunate Kiss Captures Elusive Black Type Win
With nine top five finishes in previous black type races, it was better late than never as 6yo Divine Prophet mare Fortunate Kiss charged along the inside to win the $300,000 Listed Glasshouse Handicap (1400m) at the Sunshine Coast on Saturday – her first black type victory.