Mystery Show’s owner and co-breeder Ian Farrelly wasn’t able to be on course for his filly’s win at the Avondale meeting, but there should be plenty more opportunities to cheer her to victory.
Mystery Show (Danielle Johnson) making a successful start at Avondale yesterday from her new quarters.
“It’s great for Ian Farrelly,” said trainer Stephen Marsh. “He couldn’t make it today as he’s in a board meeting, much to his disgust. I’m just rapt to get a win on the board for him.”
Mystery Show is a newcomer to the Marsh stable after being trained at Byerley Park by James Bridge, who raced her six times for two wins and three placings, including thirds in the Gr.3 Hawke’s Bay Breeders Gold Trail Stakes and the Listed Dunstan Soliloquy Stakes.
“She’s come to me a readymade filly from James Bridge, who has done a great job and got her black-type,” said Marsh.
“We are still learning about her. James said she’s highly strung and we’ve worked on getting her as relaxed as we possibly can. We haven’t pushed the button a lot so we’ve come in a little blind, working on solely that her class would prevail.”
Mystery Show hadn’t raced since finishing seventh behind La Diosa in the Gr.1 Gavelhouse NZ 1000 Guineas at Riccarton last November and had made one public appearance from the Marsh stable when third behind Luna Rossa at last month’s Cambridge trials.
On her class she looked a big chance in yesterday’s Point Chevalier 1200 and she enjoyed a good run third or fourth on the outer before being sent up to challenge with 300 metres to run. She then kicked on strongly and won by a head from Spindle.
“Danielle rode her a treat,” said Marsh. “I think she knocked up the last bit, but she was still too good.
“We were always going to try and use our draw a little bit. She is relaxing so I wasn’t worried about her over-racing today and it’s worked out.
“She’s still big in condition and she’s going to improve. She’s pretty exciting.”
Marsh has a couple of races in mind for Mystery Show, but wants to discuss the programme with Farrelly first.
