3 minute read
Connections of expectant mum Sirene Stryker hope she can finish her racing career on a high when she contests the two fillies and mares feature races over the Ladbrokes Summer Racing Festival.
Sirene Stryker will have her first run this campaign in the $150,000 Group 3 Kevin Sharkie Mystic Journey Stakes (1200m) in Hobart on Friday and then head to the (1400m) Group 3 $150,000 Vamos Stakes on Launceston Cup Day.
The mare hasn't started since finishing second in Open company in Launceston last October but always races well fresh, with her first-up record boasting five wins from eight starts.
Leading into the Mystic Journey, Sirene Stryker has trialled twice, most recently finishing a comfortable second over 800m at Longford.
"We had a bit of a hiccup two trials ago, she had a bit of an accident in the barriers and didn't really take part in the trial, and then the other day, we trialled her without any head gear because it was important for her to get the confidence to jump away from the barrier again and she was first into stride.
"We achieved our objective from that point of view, but she probably trialled a length or so below what she normally does," trainer Mark Ganderton said.
Sirene Stryker has drawn barrier seven but will start from five if the emergencies don't get a run. Blinkers go back on for her run on Friday.
"She's a 7YO mare, and she needs something to make her focus; I think she's ticking over well.
"She's been to Launceston for a grass gallop, and she worked exceptionally well.
"I'm a proud father almost," Ganderton said with a laugh.
"I'm very, very pleased to say she is in foal to Shamus Award; we're very excited about that prospect.
"The opportunity to go to him has been awesome; mares seem to race well in foal, so fingers crossed that might add the length, or so we were missing last year."
Friday is the first running of the Mystic Journey Stakes, formerly known as the Bow Mistress.
The 1200m weight-for-age classic for fillies and mares has drawn together a strong field, including last year's winner, Victorian mare Belsielle, who 12 months ago came from near the tail of the field to beat Embeller with Sirene Stryker third.
Adam Trinder, who trained Mystic Journey throughout her career, will be represented in the race by smart mares Jaguar Stone and Vivilici, along with stable newcomer Cabaca, who has recently transferred from Chris Waller.
The Summer Racing Festival really ramps up this weekend with the Mystic Journey, one of two features on Friday, the other being the $150,000 Listed Tasmanian Derby (2200m). The festival then continues on Sunday with the $300,000 Group 3 Ladbrokes Hobart Cup (2400m) and the $125,000 Thomas Lyons Stakes (1400m) headlining another super program.
My best bet on Friday is Flight Ready on an each-way basis in race two. I thought his first-up run in Launceston was super; he was wide throughout but kept coming, and, with the benefit of that outing, should be fitter and ready to run a big race.
It's a twilight card with the first event at 14.39. All the action can be seen with Matt Reid live hosting coverage on TasracingTV.
