Australia: Geegees Mistruth looks to end skid back in Tasmania for Mystic Journey

Unbeaten in her first four starts on the island of Tasmania in Australia in late 2023 and early 2024, Geegees Mistruth did not have the same measure of success later last year in group stakes at tracks in the Melbourne area.

A return to Tasmania, and a start in Thursday’s Group 3 Mystic Journey Stakes at six furlongs at Hobart Racecourse, may reverse a five-race losing streak.

Trained by Stuart Gandy, who is based near Hobart, Geegees Mistruth was the 2-1 favorite in early betting on Wednesday in a field of 14 fillies and mares and one of two Southern Hemisphere 3-year-olds among the leading choices.

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Geegees Mistruth has not raced since she finished 11th of 13 in the Group 1 1000 Guineas Caulfield Racecourse in November. In preparation for her return in the $94,200 Mystic Journey Stakes, Geegees Mistruth won a three-runner schooling race from the gate at five furlongs at Hobart on Jan. 21.

Geegees Mistruth tends to run from off the pace. She starts from post 10 in the Mystic Journey and will be ridden by Anthony Darmanin, the leading rider at Tasmanian tracks.

The appropriately named Ms Tasmania, a winner of 5 of 6 starts, will have her group stakes debut in the Mystic Journey. A closer, Ms Tasmania was unbeaten in four starts in 2024 and won her first start this year as the odds-on favorite in a minor handicap at 5 1/2 furlongs at Hobart on Jan. 19.

Hobart has an eight-race program beginning at 10:52 p.m. Eastern or 7:52 p.m. Pacific. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.

Earlier on the program, Likeakalix will be an odds-on favorite to win for the fourth time in his last five starts in the $92,600 Tasmanian Derby at 1 3/8 miles.

Likeakalix will start at the distance for the first time. A longer trip is unlikely to be an issue. Likeakalix closed from fourth to win the Launceston Guineas at 1 5/16 miles by 4 1/4 lengths at Launceston Racecourse on Jan. 24, his first stakes win.

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