Dabernig’s Mascot to return

[Wandering Eyes]

Tom Dabernig is full of expectations regarding the spring prospects of his talented mare Flying Mascot (NZ) (Tavistock), who resumes in the Sir John Monash Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield next Saturday.

However, Dabernig has a caveat saying that mares don’t always come back after a long spell.

“She’s likely to find them a bit sharp and quick,” he said. “It’s more of a starting point to have her a little bit ahead fitness-wise going into spring.

“There’s no doubt she’s got the ability but with mares, you just want to see them.”

The Warrnambool-based trainer said if she didn’t come up, she would be retired to stud.

Flying Mascot, a rising six-year-old mare, hasn’t raced since October 15 when she finished 10th in the Gr.2 Tristarc Stakes (1400m).

Dabernig said Flying Mascot had issues with soreness, but nothing major, and he thinks this long break could be a blessing in disguise.

Dabernig said he had always regarded Flying Mascot as a late-maturing Tavistock mare whose best form would come later in her career.

Flying Mascot has won three Group Three races and Dabernig pointed out she had only had 17 starts.

Dabernig said he planned to give her two runs in July to give her a nice fitness base for the rest of spring.

“I’m deliberately starting her off in July hoping she can have possibly two runs heading into August when she will run over 1400m third-up and possibly a mile fourth-up.”

He said there were many options for her, but if she was in form a race such as the Gr.1 Toorak Handicap (1600m) would be ideal for her.

Dabernig said Damien Oliver would ride Flying Mascot on Saturday.

“She has performed well first-up over 1200m, she just got nutted by Probabeel but this time I’ve brought her up slowly,” Dabernig said.

“Her pattern has been going forward, but over 1100m I’d like her to go back and build to the line. When she’s fitter and up in distance she can go forward again.

“She looks great and is bright and well. She’s shown she’s going well in her jumpouts and, if she’s racing well, the plan is to go another 12 months.”

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