TASSIE MARES READY TO STRIKE IN EMPIRE ROSE
TASMANIA’S best mares Mystic Journey and Still A Star had their final hit-outs in Launceston on Tuesday in preparation for the Group 1 Empire Rose Stakes over 1600m at Flemington on Saturday.
Mystic Journey and Still A Star galloped together, working off from the 1000m and dashed up the last 400m. Both mares pleased their respective trainers.
Trainer Adam Trinder, who has preferred to keep Mystic Journey hidden from the media this preparation, said his mare was in top order. It was a similar workout for Still A Star with regular trackwork rider Patrick Dargan aboard and the mare’s trainer Bill Ryan was all smiles.
While the Empire Rose offers $1m prizemoney, there is an extra carrot for Still A Star who is one of the seven acceptors who qualify for a $1m winner-take-all cash bonus.
The Victoria Racing Club offered the bonus to any horse that won one of 16 lead-up races and went on to win the Empire Rose.
Mystic Journey and Tofane are $5 equal favourites. Still A Star is $11.