Trainer Adam Trinder has hinted that Tasmania's outstanding group 1-winning mare Mystic Journey may have run her last race.
In an interview at Mowbray on Wednesday night, Trinder stated that nothing had been finalised but a decision on the six-year-old's future was imminent.
He said he and owner Wayne Roser were "still to have a meeting about whether we continue with her."
She's been a tremendous mare who has done her job and owes us nothing.
- Trainer Adam Trinder on Mystic Journey
"So it's a conversation that's got to be had.
"She may well retire a sound mare with a fantastic record."
Mystic Journey is in the paddock after a three-start spring campaign that saw her finish second in the group 2 Let's Elope, third in the group 2 Rose Of Kingston and second in the group 1 Empire Rose, all at Flemington.
Connections had looked for another race but, after ruling out a trip to Perth for the Railway Stakes, decided there was nothing suitable.
Mystic Journey has won 12 races and $4,182,000, making her the highest Tasmanian stakes-earner of all-time.
The record was previously held by Sydeston who won $3.1 million 30 years ago.
The mare's biggest triumphs were in the $5 million All-Star Mile and $1 million group 1 Australian Guineas.
MARE WINS AFTER WIND OPERATION
Trinder made an early visit to the winner's stall at Mowbray with lightly-raced mare Dolce Casa who has made a successful comeback after a wind operation.
The four-year-old raced handy and proved too good for Upset and Real Brazen in the Maiden Plate.
"It was identified after her first two starts late last year that she had a wind issue and needed an operation," the trainer said.
"We gave her a long break and she was good at her first two runs back - in the first, she was held up and, in the second, she was quite wide.
"Tonight Brendon (McCoull) had her in the right position throughout and, although the race became quite competitive on the corner, she got back to the rail and was strong to the line.
"Because of her wind problem, she'll be kept to short races."
HONEST LADY GETS FIRST LOCAL VICTORY
Former Victorian mare Lady broke through for her first Tasmanian win in the Class 1 Handicap to the relief of trainer Cameron Thompson.
"She's very honest and is rarely out of the money but she doesn't win a lot of races," Thompson said.
"She did a good job tonight because it's hard to come from behind when the rail is out and it was a brilliant ride (by Siggy Carr).
"She picked the gaps and the mare finished really strongly."
Lady, who was bought from an online sale, was having her 10th start in Tasmania after one win and 12 minor placings in Victoria.
TAPPA EARNS PASS TO BETTER RACES
Trainer Scott Brunton has the Thousand Guineas in mind for Tappa Pass who came from well back to run down first-starter Husavik in the Maiden Plate.
"They only went steady up front and I thought she might have missed the boat but she got the job done," Brunton said.
"This filly been a handful but she's got a good motor.
"We'll see how she progresses through the three-year-old races.
"It will be pretty hard against the likes of Turk Warrior but when they break up into fillies divisions hopefully she can get 1600m and we might go to the Guineas."
CLOSE FINISH ON NOSE FOR PUNTERS
Five horses crossed the line together in the Benchmark 68 Handicap and it was the two longest-priced that filled the quinella.
Stinka ($14) just got the judge's nod for jockey Bulent Muhcu and trainer Marion Dalco a nose in front of Alinjer ($21).
There was another nose to Rising Hsiang, with Wardell a nose away fourth and Banca Nip a short half head away fifth.
Muhcu said Stinka was "very genuine and a beautiful horse to ride."
Apprentice Tayah Stalker lost her 4kg claim when Gee Gee Queen Bee gave her a fifth career win in the Kelvin Lucas Memorial.
Trainer Stuart Gandy said the mare was the "best horse in the race if she decided to turn up".
WARRIOR STARTING NEW CUPS CAMPAIGN
Launceston Cup winner Glass Warrior is set to return to racing in the Open Handicap over 1400m at Elwick on Sunday.
The John Blacker-trained mare hasn't started since finishing last in the Mornington Cup in March.
She trialled over 730m at Longford a fortnight ago and went to the line under her own steam to finish fourth to Warrior Prince, beaten 3-1/4 lengths.
Blacker is aiming Glass Warrior at the two major cups for the third year in row.
"We gave her a good break after the Mornington Cup and she has come back better than ever," he said.
"We'll target most of the races that she ran in last season but she'll miss the Longford Cup (which she won).
Glass Warrior has finished third and seventh in the past two Hobart Cups and fourth and first in the past two Launceston Cups.
Although she's never won first-up, the six-year-old has shown she can sprint well fresh and has been placed four of five in Hobart.
Blacker has booked claiming apprentice Brandon Louis to reduce Glass Warrior's weight on Sunday to 57kg.
The topweight is former Chris Waller-trained imported galloper Captain Cook on 62.5kg with Shot Or Irish on 59.5kg.
Apprentice Jemma Curtain, who will be having only her sixth ride, has been booked to claim 4kg on Captain Cook.
