Mystic Journey to face toughest test

THE picket fence formline is sufficient to convince most of Mystic Journey’s worthiness as Cox Plate favourite, but Adam Trinder concedes the Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) shapes as a pivotal race for his star.

Unbeaten in seven starts since a luckless defeat at The Valley 13 months ago, Mystic Journey will chase her first Group 1 victory against openage company.

Emphasising he was unafraid of defeat, Trinder knows the importance of a decent performance against a field littered with Group 1 winners.

“If she was fortunate enough to be able to come out and win, that would cement her position as one of the genuine Group 1 contenders of the spring and probably confirm her standing as Cox Plate favourite,” he said.

“It’s a testing point.

“She’s obviously beaten the older horses, obviously not in Group 1 company, but All-star Mile company.

“We trust that enough.”

Expecting the Australian Guineas winner to run a “helluva race”, Trinder is under no illusions over the difficulty of Mystic Journey’s latest challenge.

“It’s said.

“I think there are horses that are going to improve, similar to her first-up run (in the PB Lawrence Stakes.)

“I think Hartnell is still the benchmark. He’s third-up and out to a mile at Flemington, a cracking she’s good race,” he which is a track he really appreciates.

“I think he’ll probably trail us and have the last crack at us, very similar to the All-star Mile.

“We’re just hopeful we can hang on.”

Pressed on what would make a pass mark for the TAB $4.40 Cox Plate favourite, Trinder said: “Just a good run, effectively.

“As I’ve stated in the past, we’re not scared of defeat and we’ve got an objective, which culminates in the back end of November. Just as long as she’s running through the line – we’d be disappointed if she didn’t run a place – with good enthusiasm, that’s good enough for us.

“She’ll take minor benefit out of the run, but she’s pretty well wound up.

“We’re only 43 days away from the Cox Plate and looking to step forward out in journey, she’s nearly 100 per cent.

“She’ll go there and give an accurate account of herself and she’ll maintain her form for the next month, I trust.”