Tassie star Mystic Journey heads talented field as major spring players make their long-awaited return to track

She’s the spruik horse of the spring and our Cox Plate favourite, so it’s little wonder Mystic Journey is the centre of attention this weekend. But what about the other major players this spring?

The spring carnival is on the doorstep and several horses stepping out on Saturday are being aimed at the major races.

Herald Sun form analyst Michael Manley identifies some of the big stars and the direction they are taking this spring.

CAULFIELD

DURETTO (R3, No. 1 $18)

Eight-year-old gelding (Manduro-Landinium)

22 starts: 6 wins, four seconds, three thirds.

Trainer: Matt Cumani

Former Andrew Balding-trained stayer making his debut for Matt Cumani. He hasn’t started since enormous run to finish fourth in last year’s Caulfield Cup where he over-raced early and also struck interference with 600m to go. He’s been in work since May at Ballarat.

Targets: Caulfield Cup, Melbourne Cup.

Duretto will step out for the Matt Cumani camp this spring.

DOUGLAS MACARTHUR (R3, No. 5 $5.50)

Five-year-old gelding (Galileo — Alluring Park)

11: 2-1-1

Trainer: Liam Howley

High class former Irish stayer who hasn’t started for almost two years. In 2017 with Aidan O’Brien he finished second to subsequent Melbourne Cup winner Rekindling and he also defeated Yucatan. He wasn’t disgraced in Group 1 races. Team Williams is sure to have given him a long build up to his return.

Targets: Caulfield Cup, Melbourne Cup

DUBIOUS (R5, No. 1 $3.50)

Three-year-old colt (Not A Single Doubt — Suspicieuse)

7: 3-1-1

Trainers: Ciaron Maher and David Eustace

Brilliant sprinter who followed a Group 2 win at Doomben against his own age with a close-up fifth in the Group 1 Kingsford-Smith against older sprinters at Eagle Farm at his last run on May 25. He’ll be a factor in all the sprints for his age group.

Targets: Golden Rose, Coolmore Stud Stakes

LYRE (R6, No. 1 $4.20)

Three-year-old filly (Lonhro — Erato)

5: 3-1-0

Trainer: Anthony Freedman

Tended to fly under the radar but she was one of the best two-year-olds from last season. She followed Blue Diamond Stakes win with a slightly unlucky third in the Golden Slipper Stakes. Her trainer Anthony Freedman always suggested she’d be a better three-year-old.

Target: Golden Rose, Thousand Guineas

Begood Toya Mother salutes at Flemington in May.

BEGOOD TOYA MOTHER (R7, No. 9 $2.50)

Five-year-old gelding (Myboycharlie — Lady Of Helena)

Trainer: Daniel Bowman

10: 6-1-0

Warrnambool-trained galloper who is developing a cult following due to his name and also his emergence from the country tracks. He’s won five in a row and looks to be getting better with every start. This will give a better indication of where he sits.

Target: Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes.

FIFTY STARS (R8, No. 5 $7.50)

Five-year-old horse (Sea The Stars — Swizzle Stick)

13: 8-2-0.

Trainers: David and Ben Hayes and Tom Dabernig

He’s managed to win eight of his 13 starts but he still had some raw edges last campaign. Put together back to back Group 2 wins scoring in the Blamey Stakes at Flemington and then the Ajax Stakes at Rosehill. Could emerge as a genuine star this campaign.

Targets: Epsom Handicap, Toorak Handicap, Cox Plate.

MYSTIC JOURNEY (R8, No. 11 $2)

Four-year-old mare (Needs Further — White Gold)

13: 10-0-0.

Trainer: Adam Trinder

Emerged last autumn as the rising star of Australian racing with her back to back wins in the Australian Guineas and the All-Star Mile. She won both of those races with authority and should be in for another stellar preparation. She’s equal favourite for the Cox Plate at $6 so all eyes will be on her on Saturday.

Target: Cox Plate

The new Winx? Not quite, but trainer Adam Trinder and Mystic Journey are certainly attracting plenty of attention from the media.

RANDWICK KENSINGTON

WOLFE (R6, No. 13 $2.80)

Five-year-old gelding (Novellist — Peace Of World)

5: 4-1-0.

Trainers: Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott

One of Gai and Rob Waterhouse weanlings bought in Japan four years ago. He’s had five starts for four wins and a second. He races on speed and looks an emerging talent. Gai has ambitious plans for him.

Target: Caulfield Cup, Cox Plate

TE RAPA (New Zealand)

TE AKAU SHARK (R6, No. 2 $2.15)

Five-year-old gelding (Rip Van Winkle — Bak Da Chief)

6: 5-0-0

Trainer: Jamie Richards

Boom Kiwi galloper who is a $15 chance with TAB for the Cox Plate. He hasn’t started since winning the Group 2 Coupland’s Mile by six lengths last November at Riccarton. Resumes over 1200m but if he can win the hype will step another notch.

Target: Cox Plate

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WEEKEND BEST BETS: WHO TO BACK AT THE TRACK

THE EARLY OIL: WHO STANDS OUT AT CAULFIELD

RACEDAY FOCUS: CAULFIELD

With leading form analyst Michael Manley.

BEST BET

BEGOOD TOYA MOTHER (R7, No. 9 $2.50)

Taking on his toughest test but he’s getting better with every start. Look for him to go forward and prove hard to run down.

NEXT BEST

AGE OF CHIVALRY (R4, No. 6 $2.20)

Promising galloper who finished on well after being held up at The Valley when he resumed. Has finished second to The Inevitable and Mr Quickie over 1400m which looks nice form for this.

NEW UNIVERSE (R3, No. 6 $3.80)

Finished off strongly to win over 1600m at The Valley last start. In a race where the majority of runners are resuming, he will have a clear edge in race fitness.

VALUE BET

CAUSEWAY GIRL (R9, No. 10 $6.50)

Has a great first-up record with two wins from two starts. She was competitive in a Group 2 race at Randwick. Also has the benefit of Oliver on.

BEST ROUGHIE

TONY NICCONI (R1, No. 2 $15)

No surprise he has firmed from $26 into $15 as on his best form he’s be hard to beat. He’s had five starts at Caulfield for two wins and a second.

BEST BACKED

MISS IANO (R9, No. 6 $6.50)

Opened $11 with TAB fixed odds and has been backed into $5.50.

Miss Iano after claiming victory on Bletchingly Stakes Day.

THE TRAINER

CLINTON McDONALD

DIAMOND EFFORT (R1 No. 16 $5)

“She’s a lovely progressive mare. She’s trialled well at Cranbourne. She’s got a sticky gate and she’s unknown in the going but I expect she’ll run a big race.”

BENITOITE (R2, No. 2 $3.60)

“This is her seventh run in but there’s no signs to me that she needs to go to the paddock as her runs have been well spaced. I think she’s looking the best she’s looked. She’s going to be hard to beat.”

CAUSEWAY GIRL (R9, No. 10 $6.50)

“Quality mare resuming. She’s run well in better races and she flies fresh. She’s trialled well and I think she’ll run a big race.”

CAULFIELD QUADZILLA WITH MICHAEL MANLEY

LEG 1 RACE 6 3.20PM

Not an easy start to you will have to go wide. LYRE (1) returns to the scene of her Blue Diamond victory and she proved she can handle a wet track with her subsequent third in the Golden Slipper. Magic Millions winner EXHILARATES (4) also resumes and is a must have. Add CHEER LEADER (6), Blue Diamond runner-up LANKAN STAR (7) and ABSOLUTE FLIRT (5).

LEG 2 RACE 7 4PM

This looks the narrow leg. BEGOOD TOYA MOTHER (9) is an exciting prospect aiming for his sixth straight win. He’ll go forward and with light-weight is going to prove hard to catch. Take gifted Adelaide sprinter BEHEMOTH (7) who will finish strongly as insurance.

LEG 3 RACE 8 4.40PM

Obviously MYSTIC JOURNEY (11) is a must have but as there’s queries regarding her fitness and how she handles the wet track it’s going to be worthwhile to add HARTNELL (1), CLIFF’S EDGE (4) and FIFTY STARS (5).

LEG 4 RACE 9 5.15PM

Hardest leg so load-up. CAUSEWAY GIRL (10) flies fresh and has the added benefit of Damien Oliver to ride her. VICTORY KINGDOM (12) showed a lot of promise last autumn and she’s jumped out well in preparation for this. Add CRACK THE CODE (3), WORKING FROM HOME (4), GREY SHADOW (5), MISS IANO (6), and Adelaide visitor BELLA VELLA (11).

QUADDIE

1,4,5,6,7/7,9/1,4,5,11/3,4,5,6,10,11,12

$100 flexi for 35.71%