Mystic Journey will be trying to become only the third Tasmanian horse to win the group 2 P B Lawrence Stakes when she resumes from a spell at Caulfield on Saturday.
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The race, first run in 1949, is best known as the J J Liston Stakes.
Tasmania's best-performed horse of the 20th century, Sydeston, won in 1990 on his way to winning the Caulfield Cup and finishing a close second to Better Loosen Up in the Cox Plate.
Sydeston also contested the race for the following three years, beaten in a photo-finish by Dr Grace in 1991 and unplaced in 1992 and '93.
Tasmania's other winner was class mare Bow Mistress in 1984.
No Tasmanian horse has won the race since its name was changed to the P B Lawrence Stakes, in honour of a former Melbourne Racing Club chairman, in 2011.
The Liston Stakes honour roll contains some famous names including Tobin Bronze, Winfreux, Tauto (twice), So Called, Mahogany and Apache Cat.
Since it became the P B Lawrence, the winners have included Whobegotyou, Puissance De Lune and Hartnell.
Hartnell has been nominated for the $200,000 race again this year and, along with Humidor, is Mystic Journey's highest-rated rival.
MYSTICAL MARKETS
You know a horse is a genuine star when they are the subject of special betting markets.
On-line bookie Ladbrokes has afforded Mystic Journey that honour.
Ladbrokes is offering three markets specific to the mare's performances over the spring carnival.
The first is on the number of races she will win -- one win is at $4; two wins is the favourite at $3; three wins is at $3.50; four wins at $5 and punters can get $10 if they think she'll win five races or more.
The second market is on whether she will break the Cox Plate record of 2:02.94. Those odds are $15.
And, the third is on whether she will win any group 1 race. Connections will be heartened to know that Ladbrokes rate that almost a "good thing' at $1.50.
The third market is on whether she will win any group 1 race. Connections will be heartened to know that Ladbrokes rate that almost a 'good thing' at $1.50.
IN OTHER NEWS
YOLE GETS ON A ROLL IN VICTORIA
Tasmania's leading harness trainer Ben Yole got the ball rolling in Victoria with a double at Cranbourne on Sunday.
Yole sent a big team of horses to Nagambie last week where he will operate a satellite stable for a trial period.
After a handful of runners at Shepparton, Kilmore and Melton, the winners started kicking in at Cranbourne where Ready To Fire and Good Feelings were both successful.
Ready To Fire started at $23.60 in a race where Yole had four of the seven runners.
"We're on the board with a couple of winners so that's a good start," the trainer said.
"I've got 17 horses over there now and they'll stay as long as they can pay their way.
"The ones that can't, I'll bring home and replace with others.
"It's a trial-and-error thing so we'll just have to see how it works out."
Conor Crook, who won on Awayandrideyourself at Mowbray on Sunday night, returned to Victoria on Monday morning and will do most of the stable driving.
"I've got a couple of owners who like to use their own drivers but Conor will be on most of my horses," Yole said.
The trainer won four of the 13 races in Tasmania over the weekend to go to 174 wins for the season.
HIT-AND-RUN MISSION DONE
Tasmanian-bred gelding Micton Mouse will be spelled after picking up the $10,000 Cliff Robins Memorial 2YO and a $5000 Tasbred bonus at Mowbray on Sunday night.
Micton Mouse was bred by Michael and Toni Laugher at Westbury and is a half brother to their handy pacer Metro Mouse, a winner of 13 races in Tasmania and Victoria.
Toni Laugher has retained a share in the youngster who was driven by her son Jack Laugher for Victorian trainer John Nicholson.
Micton Mouse's mile rate of 1:57.9 was only 1.2 seconds outside the Mowbray two-year-old track record held by Offthetopofmyhead and Laugher said the gelding was still learning.
"He is going to get better with more racing under his belt but he will go for a spell now and come back as a three-year-old," the driver said.
BOOKIES NOT KEEN ON TASSIE DOGS
Tasmania's representatives in the National Sprint and Distance Championship finals have both drawn to suit in box 1 but bookmakers still rate them as rank outsiders.
The Robin Grubb-trained Hello Rhonda is quoted at $51 with Ladbrokes for the sprint final at Cannington (WA) on August 24.
And, the Anthony Bullock-trained Bronelly Jacob is at $61 for the distance final.
Betting on the $75,000-to-the-winner sprint final is dominated by Victorian winner Black Opium ($2) and West Australian rep Premium Share ($3).
Although narrowly beaten in the Victorian final after striking early trouble, star stayer Tornado Tears dominates the market on the distance final at $1.40.
Do you know a junior sports star who calls Northern Tasmania home? Nominate them today.