Trinder won't push Mystic Journey

Adam Trinder will not go deep into the autumn with stable star Mystic Journey, mindful of having her primed for a spring campaign.

The four-year-old, who had her All-Star Mile defence turned on its head by a virus, officially returned to the track in a 900-metre trial at Hobart on Thursday.

With Anthony Darmanin on board, Mystic Journey finished second, beaten half a neck in a heat that was run in 55.9s.

Trinder confirmed it was likely he would push on to the Group 1 William Reid Stakes (1200m) at The Valley on March 20 but was keeping his plans fluid.

"It remains to be seen if she is a Group 1 filly over 1200m. It's a totally different presentation to 1400m and 1600-metre race," Trinder said.

"We need to see her sharpen up in the next fortnight. She'll have a nice, fast gallop next Saturday morning … and if she is sharp and gives me a nice feel there then she will push on to the William Reid.

"We are really mindful (of how many times we run her this preparation). Whether it's just a one-run cameo, or whether she has two with one run there and then a run in Adelaide in May, or whether she doesn't go racing at all.

"Whether she just trials up, heads to the paddock and focuses on the spring. I'm just really mindful to keep her in training and keep her moving forward as a four-year-old mare.

"Once we bypassed the opportunity for an All-Star Mile, I didn't want her to go the best part of 12 months without any stimulation."

Trinder described Mystic Journey's trial as 'sound enough'.

"It was good to get her back in a public situation today. We've had a bit transpire in the past few months with her, so it's good to see her back and nice and fluent in her action and still with the enthusiasm about her," he said.

"I thought she was really good in the last furlong of her trial, which is all we were trying to enact. Before the trial I just said to Darma to let her go out and travel wherever she is comfortable and just with a little bit of light extension, soft hands and heels the last furlong, which he did.

"I thought she probably presented like a filly that came off the Turnbull (Stakes) and the Cox Plate run there over 2000m. She jumped out, put her head on her chest and put herself back out of a tactical position early.

"I would be hopeful that short, sharp trial and this stimulation today just sharpens her up a little bit."