Tasmanian mares Still A Star and Mystic Journey ready to strike in Empire Rose

The trainers of top Tasmanian mares Still A Star and Mystic Journey were thrilled with their last gallops ahead of the Group 1 Empire Rose Stakes.

Mystic Journey (left) and Still A Star gallop in Launceston ahead of the Empire Rose Stakes. Picture: Peter Staples

Tasmania’s best mares Mystic Journey and Still A Star had their final hit-outs in Launceston on Tuesday in preparation for their tilts at the Group 1 Empire Rose Stakes over 1600m at Flemington on Saturday.

Mystic Journey and Still A Star galloped together, working off from the 1000m and they dashed up the last 400m and both pleased their respective trainers.

Trinder, who has preferred to keep his mare hidden from the media this preparation, said Mystic Journey has done everything required of her to be at her peak on Saturday and confirmed she was in top order.

It was a similar workout for Still A Star with regular trackwork rider Patrick Dargan aboard and the mare’s trainer Bill Ryan was all smiles after the gallop.

While the Empire Rose offers $1m prizemoney, there is an additional carrot for Still A Star who is one of the seven acceptors who qualify for a $1m, winner-take-all, cash bonus.

The Victoria Racing Club offered the huge bonus to any horse that won one of 16 lead-up races and went on to win the Empire Rose.

Still A Star is coming off a win in the Rose Of Kingston Stakes at Flemington, with Mystic Journey (white and red) third. Picture: Racing Photos via Getty Images

Ryan is not oblivious to the bonus but what he really wants is to be able to have his family ensure “trainer of a Group 1 winner” is included on his gravestone.

It has been well documented that Ryan is suffering from a life-threatening lung disease, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, and while still able to deal with training a handful of horses at his Longford stables, he admits time is running out.

On Saturday, Ryan won’t be permitted to travel to Melbourne to witness the event live, but he and his wife Mary and close family and friends will gather at their Longford home, along with some fellow owners, to cheer home their pride and joy.

Still A Star finished third and Mystic Journey second in the Let’s Elope Stakes at Flemington last month, before Still A Star emerged triumphant and Mystic Journey a fast-finishing third at their most recent outing in the Group 2 Rose Of Kingston Stakes, also at Flemington, three weeks ago.

Mystic Journey and Tofane are equal favourites to win the race at $5 ahead of Collette and Chaillot ($6) with Still A Star at $11.

Final acceptances for the Empire Rose closes at 9am on Wednesday morning.

*Peter Staples is also employed by Tasracing

Originally published as Tasmanian mares Still A Star and Mystic Journey ready to strike in Empire Rose