Unbeaten in five starts to date, the Ciaron Maher & David Eustace-trained Yonce (NZ) (Proisir) will attempt to extend her winning sequence when she steps out at Flemington.
Yonce will line up in the G H Mumm Mystic Journey (2000m) on Saturday following her most recent victory over 1600m at Flemington on March 5.
Following that latest victory, the Maher and Eustace stable were considering a stakes race for the mare, but with A$200,000 in prize money on offer on Saturday elected to keep the mare in Melbourne for another start.
Should Yonce be successful on Saturday, Eustace said the Gr.1 Queen Of The Turf Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on April 9 could be considered.
“We were mindful of keeping her in Melbourne and not having to travel her for two runs,” Eustace said.
“She would need to be impressive on Saturday to consider a start in the Queen Of The Turf. It may be an option without saying definitely she will go there.
“The 2000 metres back to the 1600 metres, if we went that way, would be fine, especially if the ground was wet as it might slow a few of the others up.”
After her past two wins at 1600m, Eustace does not see the step to 2000m being a problem.
And further down the track he expects 2400m could be a nice trip, even saying Yonce could be a Caulfield Cup or a contender for The Metropolitan in the spring.
“The 2000 (metres) shouldn’t be any problem,” Eustace said.
“She relaxes well, and she quickened up very impressively at Flemington and she wasn’t stopping either.
“Everything indicates she will get 2000 metres and I think she could get a mile-and-a-half, maybe even in the spring.”
Yonce is rated a $1.75 chance with TAB to extend her unbeaten winning sequence on Saturday.”
