JOY OF SIX
Mystic Journey gets the ideal Plate barrier draw
MYSTIC Journey’s owner Wayne Roser had the responsibility of attending the Cox Plate barrier draw at Moonee Valley yesterday and did the mare proud by walking away with the stable’s preferred choice of gate six.
As a former top Sydney barrister who spent years prosecuting high-profile criminals, Roser described the experience as “nerve-racking”.
The barrier draw was intense with the name of each horse in the field plucked from a barrel by the chief steward and the representative of each horse was then called to the stage to nominate a barrier.
Luckily Mystic Journey’s name was drawn second with only gate three already taken. Roser selected barrier six which was what he and trainer Adam Trinder had determined would be their best option.
“Waiting for my horse’s name to be called out was like waiting for a jury to deliver a verdict — it was very much a pressure-cooker moment,” Roser said. “But ending up with our desired barrier made it all worthwhile. Adam [Trinder] is delighted and now we just have to keep it all together until race day.
“I have a few commitments over here [Melbourne] for the next three days that should keep us busy and act as a distraction, but this is like nothing I’ve ever experienced before.”
Mystic Journey’s jockey Anthony Darmanin has rejected most offers to be involved in the Cox Plate media frenzy.
“I’m doing what is required but nothing more, because I don’t want too many distractions,” Darmanin said.
To help stay focused Darmanin will be travelling to Launceston on Friday to ride at the night meeting at Mowbray.
“Adam has a couple of runners in Launceston on Friday night that he wants me to ride and I’m more than happy to do that, from a fitness perspective.”
Roser has not been afraid to speak frankly about his thoughts on how he sees the Cox Plate panning out.
“I am very confident Mystic Journey will win the race,” Roser said.
“Based on her times and what she has done leading up to Saturday’s race, I really can’t see her being beaten if she has no bad luck in the race.”
Roser also has a strong opinion on the number of overseas horses in the final field.
“I am dead against the process they use to determine the field for the Cox Plate and the assistance given to overseas entries is wrong because if we have to pay about $50,000 to run in the race then it should be the same for all, but that’s not the case. “I’m not saying anything I haven’t already told racing administrators, but let’s not detract from the race which I consider to be the one race every Australian racehorse owner worth his salt wants to win.”
Roser has a habit of trying to find a place on course to be alone while his horses are racing, and he believes he has the ideal spot to be during the running of the Cox Plate.
“I’ll plant myself right next to the winner’s stall during the race because nobody usually stands there, and hopefully I won’t have far to walk after the race.”