Flying Mascot (NZ) (Tavistock) has created dreams of a Derby Day payday after cruising to a 4.25-length victory in yesterday’s Gr.3 Tesio Stakes (1600m) at The Valley.
Trainer Tom Dabernig will nominate Flying Mascot for Saturday’s $1m Gr.1 Empire Rose Stakes (1600m) at Flemington and should the Tavistock mare win again against her own sex, she’ll collect an A$1 million bonus for her ownership group led by Flying Start Syndications.
“At other times of year I wouldn’t back her up but it’s a Group One and there’s a bonus of $1 million for the owners if you win both the Tesio and Empire Rose which sounds all good in theory but I’m sure is not as easy to do,” said Dabernig.
“The race yesterday, the Tesio, was always the plan as it’s a race that I’ve found over the years with the Empire Rose the following week, sometimes doesn’t have the depth.
“I thought it might be an opportunity to get a black type placing, that was my theory.”
Flying Mascot, in winning the Tesio as an $8 chance, provided Dabernig with his first stakes victory since departing Lindsay Park midway this year and training solo from Warrnambool.
“It was a big thrill and it certainly, although I don’t at this stage of my career get any nerves anymore, it’s still very satisfying,” Dabernig said.
“After the race it’s probably a bit more relief, as a trainer you feel a certain amount of expectation.
“We tried for Adelaide as a three-year-old filly and she fell short. Now as a four-year-old mare she’s fully matured and really improved with each run.”
