Two races down at Flemington and two for the late Cambridge Stud stallion Tavistock as the admirably consistent mare Flying Mascot proves a class above in the Group III Penfolds Max’s Rose Matron Stakes (1600m).
Flying Mascot | Image courtesy of Grant Courtney
Ridden by Blaike McDougall for Tom Dabernig, Flying Mascot powered to a two-length victory over the Smart Missile mare Groovy Kinda Love with a further half-length back to the Pierro mare Rocha Clock in third.
With her third stakes success, Flying Mascot advances her record to six wins, three seconds, and a third from 13 starts with earnings of $527,525.
“She was impressive and a big thanks to Cameron Bennett from Flying Start Syndications. He puts absolutely no pressure on you and really supports every decision that we make with her,” Dabernig said.
“We’ve tried to just progress her gradually. She only had four runs in the spring. This was only her third run in the autumn. She keeps improving.
“I think she’s a very good miler and I think there’s still probably better to come. She can handle wet or dry ground.
“I’d like to thank all of my team. Darren Bell who’s my head man, he’s like the V8 Landcruiser of the operation and I’d be lost without him.
“The plan has always to go in 13 days to look at Moonee Valley. She won very well there. There’s the Group 2 Sunline Stakes for the mares.
“We’ll probably be a bit more ambitious in the spring if she spells well after this autumn.”
Flying Mascot post race | Image courtesy of Grant Courtney
Purchased by Flying Start Syndications/Pinhook B/S (FBBA) for $25,000, from the draft of Alexia Fraser Bloodstock at the 2019 Magic Millions National Yearling Sale, Flying Mascot is bred on the highly successful Tavistock – Zabeel cross.
A half-sister to stakes-winner Koala Bear (Exceed And Excel), Flying Mascot is one of seven winners from eight to race out of the Zabeel mare Lucky Mascot.
A sister to stakes-placed Maythehorsebemagic and to the dam of the champion and promising young stallion Xtravagant, Lucky Mascot is a daughter of the multiple Group II winner Arletty (Centaine), a three-quarter sister to Sixty Seconds and Spottswoode.
Lucky Mascot died in April last year. Her final foal is a 2yo brother to Flying Mascot named Lucky Stock, who is in the stable of John O’Shea and will carry the colours of his breeder Ron Finemore.