Vinery Stud and Team Hawkes are weighing up whether to start Joyful Journey in the G1 Vinery Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill on March 28.
Torryburn bred Joyful Journey continued her rapid rise up the ranks with a last-stride victory in the Schweppes Hcp (1600m) at Warwick Farm on Wednesday. The Shamardal filly had won her maiden as recently as February 26 at Hawkesbury.
“She’s a fighter and does everything right,” co-trainer Michael Hawkes said. “She might have drifted in betting but we thought she was ready today.”
Joyful Journey (3f Shamardal – Joy Of Flight by Flying Spur) skirted the inside rail in the straight to defeat Bomber Brown (Big Brown) by a nose in a hectic finish at Warwick Farm. “I thought about going wide on the corner but decided to keep her momentum going and squeeze through along the fence,” jockey Tommy Berry revealed. “She’s a quality filly and will run 2000 metres right out.”
Former Darley shuttler Shamardal sired 2010 Vinery Stakes winner Faint Perfume and his latest hopeful is from G3 MVRC Tesio Stakes winner Joy Of Flight. Now at Torryburn Stud, the mare has already foaled LR South Pacific Classic winner Landing (More Than Ready).
Vinery and partners paid $340,000 for Joyful Journey at the 2013 Gold Coast Magic Millions. “I’m sure Vinery would be happy to win the race they sponsor,” Hawkes said. “She’s taken time to come to hand and the further she goes, the better.”
