Chris Symons wins on Eclair Mystic in the Red Tempo Handicap. Picture: Nicole Garmston
Source: Sunday Herald Sun
ECLAIR Mystic was running on empty to bring his record to six wins from eight starts in yesterday’s Zeditave Stakes at Caulfield, but trainer Robert Smerdon will press ahead with his Australian Guineas plans.
Though Eclair Mystic was fading fast to win the 1200m Listed $100,000 Zeditave Stakes by a half neck, Smerdon said the three-year-old deserved the chance to progress to the 1600m of the $755,000 Australian Guineas on March 5.
In a tight finish, Eclair Mystic ($2.40 to $3.20 fav) prevailed from fast finishing Spirited Eagle ($12) with a short half head to Linked In ($13), who graduated from a Geelong maiden win on debut to show great speed and fully test the favourite.
Smerdon said Eclair Mystic’s twin qualities of being able to race on the pace and his determination entitled him to press on to the $200,000 C.S. Hayes (1400m) on February 19, on his way to the Guineas.
“He didn’t have much to spare on the line, but he puts himself in the right spot. He’s foolproof, makes his own luck and he fights hard, so he’s a tough racehorse,” Smerdon said.
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“He won at 1400m as a two year-old, so he’s entitled to get the chance to take the next step,” he said.
Smerdon said, at this stage, Hong Kong-owned Eclair Mystic was committed to an Australian career.
Betstar trimmed Eclair Mystic’s Guineas odds from $34 to $26 with price assessor Michael Horne declaring the gelding a distance query.
Heavily backed Anacheeva retained his place as $9 Guineas co- favourite.
Anacheeva, backed from $4.60 to $3.30, might have cost his punters yesterday in running eighth, but from a Guineas viewpoint there was a lot to like about his effort.
Winning jockey Chris Symons said he would donate 10 per cent of his $3000 winning fee to the appeal for Queensland racing steward James Perry, who is missing presumed drowned in the recent Toowoomba floods.
Several jockeys yesterday donated a percentage of their fees to the appeal.