Distant stars collide

WHEN the gates fly open for the sixth race at Flemington on Saturday every Tasmanian with even the slightest interest in racing will have eyes fixed on Sky Channel’s coverage of the race.

At 3.35pm Tasmanian-owned and trained mares Mystic Journey and Still a Star will face off in the Let’s Elope Stakes over 1400m, a Group 2 event that will give connections of both a better idea of where they will head during Victoria’s Spring Carnival.

But sadly, both trainers will also have to watch from afar due to Covid travel restrictions that will prevent them from making the trip across Bass Strait.

Mystic Journey’s trainer Adam Trinder already knows what it’s like to stay at home while his stable star competes in Victoria, but for Still a Star’s trainer Bill Ryan it is a new experience, and he doesn’t like it one bit.

“I’m absolutely gutted that we can’t get to see her compete on Saturday, as are the rest of the family and the owners who race the mare,” Ryan said.

“To have a horse good enough to go and race over in Melbourne in the spring, but not be able to be there, is just devastating.”

Ryan’s daughter Monica Ryan has agreed to travel with the mare even though she will be required to selfisolate in quarantine for two weeks upon her return to Tasmania next Monday.

“Monica has taken a bullet for the team by putting her hand up to travel with the mare, so at least we know Minnie (Still a Star’s stable name) will be in good hands and well cared for while she’s away.

“We could send the mare over and leave her in the care of a stranger, but she is a real handful.

“You have to know her moods and she has plenty of quirks, in fact I’m sure she is bipolar.”

Ryan has high hopes for Still a Star this season and this race was always going to be her starting point.

“I’m expecting a huge run from Minnie on Saturday with the only query being whether or not I’ve been able to get her fit enough for a first-up tilt over 1400m.”

Trinder said his mare goes into the race in very good order.

“The mare’s build up to this race has been long and slow and there have been no issues,” Trinder said.

“I expect her to run to her ability. From a wide gate (12) she will go back and hopefully she will be hitting the line hard with a top three finish a pass mark.”

Both mares travelled across Bass Strait on the Spirit of Tasmania last night and they will be stabled at Flemington during their stay.