While it would not have been his first choice, Adam Trinder says he is satisfied with the inside draw for stable star Mystic Journey who will strive to give the trainer a first Group One win in the Australian Guineas at Flemington.
Mystic Journey has won her past four starts, two either side of a spell, and will begin from barrier one in Saturday’s $1 million 1600m Australian Guineas for three-year-olds against a capacity field.
While that brings potential traffic issues into the equation, Trinder said he was satisfied with the draw ahead of saddling his first Group One runner.
“It’s a lot better draw than 16,” Trinder said.
“If we had a pick in an ideal world we probably would have picked between four and eight but she’s not going to do any extra work from barrier one or cover any extra ground.
“It’s a Group One so you need all the luck you can get and I feel she’ll get more luck there from an inside draw as opposed to the outside half.”
Mystic Journey has managed to win from barrier one three times from as many attempts in her home state during her 11-start career, including first-up this preparation when she stormed home over 1100m at Launceston.
“Out to the mile as we saw in the Fillies Classic last preparation she won’t be as far back as what you’ve seen in her two Tasmanian assignments this preparation,” Trinder said.
“I think she’s taken improvement again off the back of her last win which we trusted she would.”
Thousand Guineas winner Amphitrite has barrier five and has taken over favouritism at $4.40 on Wednesday ahead of Mystic Journey at $5.
Last-start Autumn Stakes winner Hawkshot has the widest draw and is next at $7.50.
Mystic Journey is one of two three-year-olds trained in Tasmania chasing Guineas glory, with the Scott Brunton-trained last-start C S Hayes Stakes winner The Inevitable drawing barrier three.
Verry Elleegant, a fast-finishing second to Amphitrite in The Vanity last Saturday week, was also an acceptor for Saturday’s Group One Surround Stakes in Sydney but will run at Flemington.
One of five Guineas runners for the Chris Waller stable, Verry Elleegant has gate two.
