Mystic Journey Makes Triumphant Return in P B Lawrence Stakes

19 August 2019

Mystic Journey claims the Group Two P B Lawrence Stakes (1400m).
Mystic Journey claims the Group Two P B Lawrence Stakes (1400m).

Last season’s star three-year-old filly Mystic Journey (Needs Further) stepped up to weight-for-age for her four-year-old debut and delivered again, taking an early lead in the New Zealand Bloodstock Caulfield WFA Championship for 2019.

The Tasmanian star had a fairytale season in 2018-19, stringing together brilliant victories in the Listed Jim Moloney Stakes (1400m), Group 3 Fillies’ Classic (1600m), Listed Thomas Lyons Stakes (1400m), Group 1 Australian Guineas (1600m), and against older horses in the inaugural A$5 million All-Star Mile (1600m).

She has been anointed as one of the brightest young stars of Australian racing, and she is among the favourites for the Cox Plate (2040m) in October.

Her first step along that road was Saturday’s A$200,000 Group 2 P B Lawrence Stakes (1400m), the first leg of the NZB Caulfield WFA Championship. She was the youngest horse in a star-studded field, and she was more than up for the challenge.

Regular rider Anthony Darmanin slotted the four-year-old into fourth spot as Cliff’s Edge (Canford Cliffs) raced out to a clear lead.

Cliff’s Edge produced a powerful kick at the top of the home straight, with outstanding performer Hartnell (Authorized) leading the chase, but Mystic Journey changed gears in the last 300 metres and wore them down, winning by three-quarters of a length.

Mystic Journey has now won 11 of her 14 starts, earning more than A$3.8 million in prize-money for owner Wayne Roser.

“Today was a strong field, she had to step up today and she definitely did,” Darmanin said. “She’s done everything for me. She’s given me great opportunities. I can’t thank the connections enough.”

Jumps jockey turned trainer Adam Trinder was pleased to get the first step of the spring campaign out of the way.

“I’m definitely relieved,” he said. “She’s done all the right things at home, but it’s different with the raceday pressure. It’s pleasing to get them back to the races and see them do what you trust they’re going to do.

“There’s been a lot of interest, but I’ve been trying to keep things on an even keel. I’ve been talking to trainers who have handled good horses like this in the past, like Peter Moody and Tony McEvoy. They’ve given me some great advice.

“She was great there today. She showed willing and determination, and it’s going to hold her in good stead moving forward in this preparation.

“I feel there’s still some improvement there. She handled the soft ground today and was workmanlike, but she really appreciates very hard ground – she shows massive acceleration on that.”

Mystic Journey earned 10 points in the Caulfield WFA Championship, taking an early lead over Cliff’s Edge with 8 points and Hartnell with 6.

Fourth-placed Sikandarabad (Dr Fong) collected 4 points, with 3 for Mr Marathon Man (So You Think) and one each for Fifty Stars (Sea The Stars), Kenedna (Not A Single Doubt) and Neufbosc (Mastercraftsman).

The next leg of the Caulfield WFA Championship is the A$1 million New Zealand Bloodstock Memsie Stakes (1400m) on August 31, where those rivals may have the chance to move ahead of Mystic Journey on the table.

“The Memsie is an excellent Group 1 race and I have a lot of respect for it as a target, but we’ll do what’s right by the filly – a month between runs might suit her better in this preparation,” Trinder said.