Looking a picture of health in the saddling paddock, the pride of Tasmania, Mystic Journey, became the first Group 1 winner for trainer Adam Trinder, jockey Anthony Darmanin and Armidale Stud's young stallion Needs Further following a dominant performance in Saturday's $1 million Group 1 Australian Guineas (1600m) at Flemington.
Given a gun ride by Darmanin from her inside barrier, Mystic Journey did not flinch when taking a rails run in the straight and powering away to record a two and a quarter length win over the gallant leader Hawkshot (Fiorente) with Amphitrite (Sebring) a long-neck back in third. (images Grant Courtney).
The second third and fourth home were all former Darren Weir trainees.
It was the fifth consecutive win for Mystic Journey, who becomes the fifth filly to win the race. It advances her record to 9 wins from 12 starts with earnings of $1,012,600.
It's unbelievable, I never thought I would even get a ride in a Group 1," Darmanin said.
"I can't thank Adam and the connection enough to get the ride on this beauty of a horse who is like the Winx of Tassie."
Despite his milestone victory, Trinder looked cool and composed in a sea of confusion.
"We bought her as a nice little cheap filly that we thought would do a job for us, never in our wildest dreams did we think we would be in a Group 1," Trinder said.
"But when I legged Anthony on I said, 'Trust her' and I knew she'd be there for him when he required her to be and she was.
With a Group 1 on her resume, Mystic Journey looks likely to be given one of three remaining wildcard entries for the $5 million All-Star Mile at Flemington on March 16. The selection panel
"We'd be hopeful if she pulls up alright, which we trust she will, I'd like to give her an opportunity at that race," Trinder said.
An $11,000 purchase by her trainer on behalf of owner Wayne Roser out of the Armidale Stud draft at the 2017 Magic Millions Tasmanian Yearling Sale, Mystic Journey is the best of three winners from four to race out of the Colombia mare White Gold who is a sister to the stakes-placed Oronero.
Bred by Ralph and Peta Zito, Mystic Journey is a three-quarter sister to the Listed winner Mystic Pursuit (Needs Further) who is out of White Gold's unraced half-sister Oh So Gold (Savoire Vivre).
A full-sister to Mystic Journey made $55,000 to the bid of Ross Wilkinson at last year's Magic Millions Tasmanian Yearling Sale. She has been named Emerald Crown.
White Gold was not covered in 2016 but had a Fighting Sun filly last spring and was bred back to Fiorente.
Armidale Stud's Needs Further is a Group winning son of the champion Encosta De Lago and a half-brother to Darley Stud's dual Group 1 winner Hallowed Crown.
Needs Further covered 49 mares last spring at a fee of $5,500.
