Cox Plate favourite Mystic Journey has ramped up preparations for her return to racing, winning a barrier trial in Tasmania and getting a tick of approval from her trainer for the way she has come through the hit-out.
The Australian Guineas and All-Star Mile winner stepped out in an 800m-trial on the synthetic track at Devonport on Tuesday morning, her first public appearance this campaign, and sat outside the leader before cruising away to win her heat by about a length.
“I was really happy with her,” trainer Adam Trinder said.
“To be honest I didn’t expect her to go there and win the trial.
“We just wanted her to go there, have a day out, bowl away on the bridle with just a slight little bit of extension late in the trial.
“But from the outside barrier she showed good enthusiasm and sat outside the leader but had a good enjoyable time without any pressure on her.
“She was lovely and fluent in her action and showed plenty of enthusiasm.”
Trinder was delighted on Tuesday afternoon with the way Mystic Journey had come through the hit-out and he said everything was on track for the Group One-winner’s campaign aimed at the Cox Plate in October.
“We’re only at the start of the preparation obviously, but I feel that she has definitely come back in the same order as what she left the autumn in. So we’re hopeful that’s good enough,” he said.
“I was really happy with the way she went about her business but more so really pleased with her demeanour throughout the course of the day.
“She’s really good this afternoon. Her head was straight in the feed bin, she’s lovely and content, her legs are nice and cold so I feel she’s in a really good place.”
Trinder hopes to kick off the rising four-year-old’s campaign in the Group Three Bletchingly Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on July 27 but that will be ground and weather dependent as he does not want it too wet.
