Tasmanian filly in top order

Mystic Journey (Needs Further) has come through her memorable G1 Australian Guineas victory in good order and is on track to clash with some seasoned older weight-for-age stars in the inaugural $5 million All-Star Mile.

The Tasmanian filly's convincing win at Flemington nine days ago clinched her a wild card into Saturday's contest, to be run over the same course and distance.

Trainer Adam Trinder has stuck to what has worked with Mystic Journey and he took her home after the Guineas, with the 3-year-old due to arrive back in Melbourne by overnight ferry on Friday morning.

"She has bounced out of the run," Trinder said.

"She did a little bit of maintenance work on Saturday morning in company because she was quite bright and bouncy, so that suggests she's in really good order.

"At this stage she will definitely take her opportunity in the All-Star Mile on Saturday."

Sydney trainer's top priority

After winning a star-studded renewal of the G1 Newmarket H., 3-year-old filly Sunlight (Zoustar) is set to chase elite level weight-for-age wins this autumn.

Trainer Tony McEvoy was using the elite sprint as a guide whether Sunlight should be aimed at the G1 TJ Smith S. in Sydney next month or the Adelaide carnival and the G1 Robert Sangster S. for fillies and mares and G1 The Goodwood.

The strength of Sunlight's Newmarket win has the trainer targeting the TJ Smith with another weight-for-age Group 1 race on the radar before the race at Randwick.

"Scarily, there's a lot more to come," McEvoy told RSN. "She's getting better, I believe.

"So we'll probably look at the William Reid as the path to get her to the TJ Smith in Sydney."

The William Reid is on March 22 at Moonee Valley in Melbourne while the TJ Smith is on April 6.

Stewards scratch pre-post fancy

Race day treatment concerns have prompted the withdrawal of top Tasmanian stayer Eastender (Tickets) from the G2 Adelaide Cup.

"Eastender was ruled a scratching that followed routine and regular inspections as we do at stables on race morning," Thoroughbred Racing South Australia chief steward Johann Petzer told Racing Victoria.

"Stewards were concerned with some race day treatment practices in relation to Eastender.

"To that end, we interviewed Mr Barry Campbell, the trainer.

"After doing so, the stewards deemed that the integrity of racing would be better protected if Eastender was deemed not to start in this event."

Rawiller back in business

Multiple Group 1 winning jockey Brad Rawiller has notched his first winner since returning to the saddle after a lengthy period off recovering from a race fall.

Rawiller fell at Cranbourne in October and his injuries included fractures to two vertebrae in his neck.

He made his return at Seymour on March 5 while Monday's Ballarat meeting, in which he was booked for four rides, was his second meeting back.

Rawiller guided At Dusk (Moshe) to a front-running victory in a 1400 metre maiden for Lindsay Park after finishing second in his first ride of the day.

Another Group 1 chance

Smart filly Aretha (NZ) (Charm Spirit {Ire}) has earned herself another crack at a Group 1 prize later this month.

The G2 Matamata Breeders’ S. winner will head to Awapuni for the G1 Courtesy Ford Manawatu Sires’ Produce S. off the back of her gallant third in Saturday’s G1 Sistema S. at Ellerslie.

“She was very brave and done it all apart from winning a Group 1 so she deserves a crack,” said Andrew Forsman, who trains the filly with Murray Baker.

Jockeys in surgery after fall

Jockeys involved in a race fall at Tamworth will be undergoing surgery.

Greg Ryan's mount Son Of A Dun (Dundeel {NZ}) appeared to go amiss midway through Sunday's -race with four horses then suffering interference.

Ryan suffered a mild concussion in the incident was discharged from Tamworth Hospital on Sunday night.

Group 1 winning rider Rachel King has undergone surgery on three fractures to her collarbone and the Australian Jockeys' Association said Josh Adams had lower lumber spine fractures and a fractured femur which will require surgery.

Apprentice Wendy Peel will go to Sydney for surgery on a broken shoulder while Kath Bell-Pitomac has concussion and suspected broken ribs and will remain in hospital for a couple of days.

Thurlow sticking to local policy

Bill Thurlow is sticking to his policy when it comes to booking a rider for Glory Days (NZ) (Red Giant {USA}) in the G1 Sydney Cup at Randwick next month.

He is weighing up the lead-up options for his G1 Auckland Cup winner, but has already decided on what he will do for a rider in Sydney.

“No disrespect to Sam Collett, she rode him beautifully in the Auckland Cup, but I have a policy with riders,’’ Thurlow said.

“When I decided to take Glory Days to Auckland I wanted a good northern rider who knows the track well and that’s how I booked Sam. I’m sticking with the same policy when she goes to Sydney. I will try and find a good Sydney rider who knows Randwick well.

‘’I think it’s important to have riders familiar with the tracks as every track can be so different. Randwick is a lot different from Ellerslie. I’m sure I’ll be able to get a good lightweight Sydney rider, but Sam can be on her again if she runs over here.’’

Heart problem

Elate (NZ) (Savabeel) suffered a heart fibrillation in the G3 McKee Family Sunline Vase last start, causing concern for her connections leading into Saturday’s G1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand Oaks.

The Roger James and Robert Wellwood-trained filly was heading into the race off the back of victory in the Listed Oaks Prelude at New Plymouth last month and looked a major threat in the running before fading late.

“She had a heart fibrillation last start,” Wellwood said. “In that regard we have just got to rule a line through that race.

“Troy (Harris, jockey) said she felt super in the running and travelled up very nicely. He was really happy, but unfortunately she did have a heart fibrillation.

“It’s not ideal heading into the New Zealand Oaks having that, but we do know that horses can bounce back extremely well their next run.”