Star mare Steno is set to head to Sydney in a bid to qualify for next month’s Queen Elizabeth II Mile (1609m) at Menangle.
Trainer-reinswoman Jocelyn Young had hoped the mare would score one of the two invites to the race last year, but it wasn’t forthcoming.
The composition of the field for the $200,000 event is two invited horse, as well as the first four runners home in the Sibelia Stakes and Robin Dundee Stakes.
Young said she wasn’t going to leave anything for chance this year.
“Travelling a horse is something I would love to do,” Young told Racing WA Harness.
“She’s good enough to go over there, so we decided we may as well take her back over there.
“It will be good for her owners to be able to watch her over there too.”
This year’s Queen Elizabeth II Mile takes place on May 10, with the Sibelia Stakes and Robin Dundee Stakes scheduled for April 26 and May 3 respectively.
Steno is expected to fly out to Sydney as early as Monday night, where she will stay at Luke McCarthy’s stable.
Young said she expected Steno would appreciate getting back to Menangle, where she’s already a Group 1 winner/
“I think her speed is her biggest asset,” she said.
“I’m looking forward to getting her back over the mile at Menangle.
“We know she’s good enough to go there, it’s just whether changing her surroundings again will agree with her.
“Good horses find a way.”
Steno was beaten as a $1.26 favourite in her most recent start in the Golden Girls Mile (1684m) at Pinjarra.
Despite the defeat, Young said she was pleased enough with the effort.
“I thought she couldn’t do anymore,” she said.
“She was three weeks between runs and burnt early.
“Nullarbor Navajo stayed out of that, and we got beaten by a horse that had the better run.”
Tim Walker
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