Journey to Flemington features on track

By Bren O'Brien

She emerged as one of the surprising stars of the spring and Tasmanian filly Mystic Journey (Needs Further) could be set to create even bigger headlines this autumn as she targets both the G1 Australian Guineas and the inaugural $5m All-Star Mile.

An ultra-impressive win in the G2 Aquis Farm Fillies Classic on Cox Plate day confirmed to the rest of us what trainer Adam Trinder already knew about Mystic Journey, that she was a filly of rare ability.

Having given her three weeks in the paddock to develop further, the 'Tasmanian Winx' as some have cheekily referred to her, has developed considerably and begins her path towards the two Flemington features in a fillies and mares race at Launceston next Wednesday.

"She only had a short let up because the autumn comes around very quickly. So she only had three weeks off. She's been back in training for a while. She let down really quickly in those three weeks which is a positive indicator in my mind. It suggests she went out in good order and wasn't dented," Trinder told TDN AusNZ.

"We left her at the top of her game off that Moonee Valley win and we trust we’ll see the rewards of it this time around."

Trinder stepped her through her races carefully in the spring, spacing her runs, with a four-week break into her Listed win at Caulfield and a five-week break into that victory at Moonee Valley.

He wants to plot a similarly patient schedule through her campaign this time around, ahead of her main target, the Australian Guineas on March 2.

"I still do feel that is the best way to go with her. She's a filly that when you see her race and watch her win, you walk away and think she's done that easily, but when you look at the clock and the sectionals, it’s got to dent her to a certain regard," he said.

"I think three weeks is ideal. We went five weeks between runs into the Fillies Classic because of the race program, but her form card suggests three weeks suits best."

Two runs into the Guineas

While the rough timing is sorted, the location is not, with Trinder still undecided whether he heads to the G3 Bow Mistress Trophy at Hobart on February 8, or The G3 Vanity at Flemington eight days later.

The Vanity is looming as more likely which may cause Trinder to rethink his routine with the filly.

"We'd probably have to diversify a little bit if she went to that race. We usually travel her over to Melbourne and straight home. If we were going to go a fortnight between runs, we would look to stay and head down to Mornington or one of the regional areas, to get her out of town," he said.

She is currently fourth favourite for the Australian Guineas, with the race expected to be dominated by fillies. The current favourite The Autumn Sun (Redoute's Choice) is doubtful to run, with fellow Group 1 winners Amphitrite (Sebring) and Arcadia Queen (Pierro) considered the leading contenders.

All-Star ambition

Mystic Journey was one of nine 3-year-old fillies nominated for the All-Star Mile on March 18 when entries closed on Tuesday, with the final field to be determined largely via public vote.

As one of only two Tasmanian horses in the 130 final nominations, Trinder is hopeful that should she still be in good order, her home state would get behind her to get her into the field.

"She's got a really good following locally and is starting to gain a little bit of traction from interstate. She's a young progressive filly with a high rating already, I’d be disappointed if the local community didn’t get behind her," he said.

"We are hoping she can create interest and if she goes through and wins the Guineas, she will come up on a lot of radars and there is the potential there for the wildcard should we not be able to get the vote."

Trinder is hopeful he is fully recovered so he can enjoy what looms as a big campaign for his stable star. He fell from Mystic Journey's three-quarter sister, Mystical Pursuit, just before Christmas and fractured his pelvis.

"She reared over backwards over on me and I broke my pelvis. But it’s not as bad as it sounds. They were clear fractures. I am three and half weeks in now and am wandering around quite good, so I'm only about ten days away from getting back in the saddle," he said.

Mystic Journey only needs to show half of the toughness of her trainer and she'll be very hard to beat wherever she goes this autumn.