Trainer Adam Trinder is persevering with Cox Plate plans for Mystic Journey despite the mare's unplaced run in the Turnbull Stakes at Flemington on Saturday.
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Mystic Journey got shuffled back to last and was held up for a run before finishing strongly for fifth, 1-3/4 lengths from the winner Kings Will Dream.
Trinder said that, assuming Mystic Journey pulled up well, she would continue on to the Cox Plate in three weeks where she has drifted in the tab.com.au market from $5 to $7.
"She got back, she was cluttered through the entrance to the straight and hit the line with really good enthusiasm," Trinder said.
"I thought she went super - she ran the 2000m right out so we're satisfied."
Jockey Anthony Darmanin shared Trinder's sentiments and also had a dig at one of his rival jockeys.
Mr Quickie was being a pest the whole way
- Jockey Anthony Darmanin
"I didn't have much luck in transit and they went slow and Mr Quickie (ridden by John Allen) was being a pest the whole way," Darmanin said.
"For at least half the race Mr Quickie was pushing into her. The tempo slackened so he was trying to push me to the fence so he could have a bit more room but that wasn't going to happen.
"That's racing, if you choose to play it like that."
Mr Quickie, who was backed into favouritism, finished second-last.
HONOURS SHARED
John Blacker and Adam Trinder shared training honours over the extended Spreyton winter season that finished on Sunday.
There have been 20 consecutive meetings on the synthetic track since late May, with Blacker and Trinder both training 18 winners.
Blacker wrapped up the season with a treble courtesy of Zatacla, Honky Tonk Girl and Triple Strip while Trinder landed a double with Magic Waler and Elton's Song.
Glenn Stevenson, who didn't have a runner at the final meeting, had 15 winners.
Two trainers that don't have many runners were among the winners on Sunday after two clever rides.
John Keys, who has had only seven starters in Tasmania so far this season, picked up his second consecutive win with Submit Another in the Benchmark 66 Handicap after a heady front-running ride by Brendon McCoull.
Paul Hill, who has had just 17 runners, won his first race for the season with Sudden Shock who got up in the last stride in the Benchmark 60 Handicap after Mehmet Ulucinar gave the gelding the run of the race, one-out and one-back.
Evergreen six-year-old Zatacla looks on target for another crack at the Devonport Cup after turning the tables on stablemate Beaufort Lad in the Benchmark 82 Handicap over 1650m.
He was a good fifth to Eastender in the feature race last season.