Tassie galloper Mystic Journey misses out in Cox Plate thriller

Tasmanian hopes in the Cox Plate were riding on mare Mystic Journey.

TASMANIAN mare Mystic Journey has finished fifth in today’s Cox Plate at Mooney Valley, the race won in stirring fashion by the favourite Lys Gracieux.

The Tasmanian galloper, trained by Adam Trinder, went into the $5 million race as the $7 second favourite and while well placed for much of the race, could not find a burst down the straight to match Lys Gracieux, ridden by Jockey Damian Lane.

In second was Castelvecchio, with Te Akau Shark third and Magic Wand in fourth.

With the retirement of four-time Cox Plate winner Winx, Mystic Journey was looked upon as the champion’s replacement.

A bargain buy at just $11,000, Mystic Journey has won 11 of her 16 starts and more than $3.5m in prizemoney prior to today’s Cox Plate.

She won the Australian Guineas and inaugural All-Star Mile at Flemington in the autumn and returned to win the Lawrence Stakes at Caulfield in August. But Mystic Journey was beaten at her two subsequent starts.