Mystical too classy

WELL-BRED two-year-old filly Mystical Pursuit delivered a brilliant performance to win the $30,000 Alfa Bowl over 1100m in Launceston last night at only her second start.

The Adam Trinder-trained filly settled second while first-starter Deroche set a solid tempo. And when they hit the home straight, Trinder’s filly showed her class.

Mystical Pursuit (Needs Further-Oh So Gold) moved alongside the Barry Campbell-trained daughter of Needs Further and when apprentice Chris Graham called on her for the big effort she forged clear and went on to win comfortably from Gee Gees Darl, which flashed home late for second.

Trinder won the race last year with Mystic Journey, which went on to be Tasmanian 2YO of the year, but Trinder said the two fillies are quite different.

“This filly is of completely different demeanor to Mystic Journey, but the one thing they have in common is the will to win,” Trinder said.

Graham said Mystical Pursuit had the leader covered on the home turn. “My filly began much better than she did on debut and when she got into a nice rhythm and cruised to the leader at the top of the home straight I thought she would win,” Graham said. “Her strength is one of her biggest assets and she really wants to find the line.”

Deroche (Needs Further-Buzzing Along) will have lost no admirers as she had to do all the hard work in front and will benefit from the outing. Gee Gees Darl made up a lot of ground over the concluding stages so she is going to appreciate more ground.