Tasracing

As we all sit back and wait for the resumption of racing due to the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, we can take this time to reflect on some of the brilliant performances delivered by our stars of the Tasmanian turf this season.

How can we forget the sensational finish of the Crowne Plaza Hobart Strutt Stakes in Hobart in which Still a Star and Mystical Pursuit settled down to a thrilling final 200 metres of the $100,000 Listed event over 2100 metres.

Still a Star had won the Tasmanian Guineas over 1600m two starts prior and then stepped out to 2100 metres for the first time and blitzed her rivals in the $100,000 Listed Launceston Guineas at Mowbray two weeks later (Jan 18).

Her trainer Bill Ryan was confident his filly could match it with the boys in the Tasmanian Derby so he accepted for that $150,000 event at what was to be the first meeting held at the new track at Elwick on 31 January.

But a blood test during the week leading up to the Derby returned a high white blood cell count, forcing Ryan to scratch his filly from the event.

While Still a Star was racking up multiple Listed wins, Mystical Pursuit, from the Adam Trinder yard, was taking a different path to the Tasmanian Oaks and won the Thousand Guineas (1600m) in Launceston as her lead-up to the Strutt Stakes.

The Strutt Stakes on Ladbrokes Hobart Cup day (9 February) was billed as a match-race between Still a Star and Mystical Pursuit and the two fillies didn’t let us down.

There was concern from punters that Still a Star might be vulnerable because she had suffered the issue with her blood count and that she might have already peaked, while Mystical Pursuit was only just starting to find her best form.

By start time punters had backed Mystical Pursuit in from $3.60 to $3.20 but Still a Star remained the favourite at $1.60.

Rider Brendon McCoull was keen to take a forward position and when his filly sprang from the gates like a gazelle he landed second behind Sacred Valley and travelled sweetly in that spot to the home turn.

Victorian rider Billy Egan wanted to track the favourite everywhere she went but without as much early pace Egan had to settle for a midfield spot, but one-off with cover.

When the leader wheeled into the home straight Still a Star launched her claim and quickly gained the upper hand, while Egan on Mystical Pursuit was weaving his way though the pack.

Still a Star (Brendon McCoull) hangs on to defeat Mystical Pursuit (Billy Egan) in the Strutt Stakes on 9 February.

Still a Star hit the front 200 metres out and kicked three lengths clear of Mystical Pursuit but with every bound Trinder’s filly lessened the margin and when they hit the line nobody was sure which filly had won.

Ryan’s filly won by the barest of margins leaving the connections of the runner-up to ponder what might have been had their filly not been held up when trying to improve 500 metres from home.

Some will say Mystical Pursuit was unlucky and others will prefer to stick with how courageous the winner was having been through such an ordeal prior to tackling the Strutt Stakes.

But irrespective of which side of the fence you prefer to stand, the determination shown by both fillies was testament to their ability.

The Tasmanian Oaks was being billed as another match race but Mystical Pursuit was not to line up in the most prestigious staying race for three-year-old fillies, having suffered a slight setback a couple of days prior to the race.

Still A Star went on to win the Oaks giving her four Listed wins in succession and end her season with career prizemoney of over $400,000 and a claim on the title of Tasmanian three-year-old of the year.

Watch the replay of the 2020 Crowne Plaza Hobart Strutt Stakes.