Mystical Pursuit (Image: Armidale Stud)
She doesn't act or look much like her famous relative but Mystical Pursuit can also have an impact on the mainland this spring, starting with a fillies race at The Valley on Saturday according to trainer Adam Trinder.
Trinder said on Friday that the three-quarter sister to his Cox Plate favourite Mystic Journey is a completely different type of horse to his classic winner but while she lacks the composure of her elder relative, Mystical Pursuit still manages to get the job done.
"She's got a really good record and she's got a demeanor that she just likes to attack the line and that's brought forward winning form for her," Trinder explained.
"It will be interesting to see where she fits in over the 1000 metres at Moonee Valley. I feel it's as short as she wants it but it will allow her to flow and build through the event.
"She's definitely got to take the next steps I feel. She's got a really good record but probably never ran time at home but found a way to get to the job done and get the job done convincingly.
"If she takes the next step, she can fit in and she'll definitely fit in better as the distance ranges increase. Tomorrow is a little testing of the water to see where she's at.
"Generally I feel with her is that if she went there and ran top three and I thought it was a performance that she could build off, I would be really happy with her."
There was a bit of breath-holding on Thursday when Mystical Pursuit made the Bass Strait trip to Melbourne as Trinder knows that when in a mood, the newly-turned three-year-old can really put on a turn.
"Surprisingly, really well," he said of the boat trip. "Really satisfied with the way she's travelled. She's at Tony McEvoy's at Flemington there and Tony's been kind enough to give us everything we've needed to settle her in, and everything's worked perfectly.
"I am happy with her as we stand 24 hours out from the event and it's up to her now."
Trinder said Mystical Pursuit kept her worst behaviour for home and tends to keep herself together when at the races.
"Race day is her best presentation to be perfectly honest with you," he said. "She gets a little bit up on the toe and a little bit bouncy, but her general demeanor at home - she's like a kite on a windy day. She's flying around everywhere.
"She's a big, imposing filly Mystical Pursuit with a walk on her which you can't look away from. I couldn't at the yearling sales anyway.
"She goes somewhere with purpose where Mystic Journey just flows along.
"She's a very highly-strung filly and if you give her the wrong indication, you will get a negative result tough her mannerisms."
Trinder said the three kilograms his apprentice rider Chris Graham can claim in the race on Saturday is noteworthy, but he said Graham bought a lot more to the race than a simple claim.
"Chris (Graham) has a really good understanding of how she operates," he explained. "He's got a really good record on her and a really good record on the remainder of our stable runners as well.
"He's obviously apprenticed to me and the three-kilo claim is a bonus as she gets in a kilo off the minimum.
"He's earned the opportunity and he deserves the opportunity and I trust him to do himself proud."
Trinder said the 1000-metre race should work out well for her despite it being a little short of her best trip.
"I think there is really good speed and she's drawn barrier one so she won't be covering any extra ground there whatsoever," he said.
"I'd suggest she'll file in about third or fourth and just be allowed to flow and hopefully build off that.
"Obviously, the last 200 metres is where the race is going to be won so I think if she can get a nice little drag along and if she's got the ability to build off, which we are going to find out, I think it should work out perfectly."