Australia: Shippers look tough in Mystic Journey Stakes

The mainland shippers Yellow Sam and Give Giggles will lead the betting in the Group 3 Mystic Journey Stakes at Hobart Racecourse on the island of Tasmania in Australia on Friday night in a big field that includes local hopes Alvarinho and Jaguar Stone.

The $97,800 Mystic Journey Stakes at six furlongs for fillies and mares is the leading race on an eight-race program that begins at 10:39 p.m. Eastern, or 7:39 p.m. Pacific. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.

The race is expected to have a full field of 14, making Yellow Sam’s early price of 8-5 on Wednesday seem rather short. In her defense, Yellow Sam has won 4 of 10 starts, including a seven-furlong handicap at Geelong Racecourse, near Melbourne, on Jan. 7 from slightly off the pace. The win ended a four-race losing streak since July.

The Mystic Journey Stakes will be the first start on Tasmania for Give Giggles and Yellow Sam.

Give Giggles, who is quick enough to set the pace, was 9-2 in early betting Wednesday. She won a handicap at 5 1/2 furlongs at Ballarat Racecourse on Dec. 9 in her last start.

Alvarinho and Jaguar Stone, based with stables on Tasmania, finished first and second in an allowance race at 5 1/2 furlongs at Hobart on Jan. 21, separated by a length.

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Alvarinho, a winner of 5 of 13 starts, tends to race as a stalker. She has a tough post toward the outside of this field. Jaguar Stone, a closer, has won 4 of 14 starts. She is winless in four starts since a six-furlong handicap at Launceston Racecourse on Tasmania last February.

Jaguar Stone will be helped if a quick pace develops in the Mystic Journey. She starts from post 9, which should help her closing style. The key is for jockey Jason Maskiell to guide the filly through a clean trip.

Maskiell replaces Erica Byrne Burke, who is riding Vivilici for trainer Adam Trinder, who also runs Jaguar Stone.

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