Star Of Mystery shines brightest in Al Wasl Stakes

Star Of Mystery made an exciting start to her three-year-old campaign as she swooped from the rear to comfortably win the Al Wasl Stakes at Meydan, UAE, on Friday, 12 January.

The half-sister to G1 winners Althiqa and Mysterious Night, who won a Listed contest and was placed at G2 level as a juvenile, raced at the rear of the 13-strong field for William Buick following a sedate start.

Star Of Mystery tracked Starlust through the field entering the final quarter-mile and moved up to a close third a furlong out. The Charlie Appleby-trained filly led soon after and hit the line strongly to score by a length in the turf sprint.

Charlie Appleby said: “We were very happy with Star Of Mystery, who had been pleasing us going into the race. The next natural step is the Dubai Trophy over the same course and distance next month.”

William Buick added: “Star Of Mystery jumped slowly, but she was in the stalls for a while and had not run for some time either. I didn’t really mind because she does like passing horses.

“She is a strong traveller and I managed to find the horses that she had to beat. I was quite taken with the way she travelled to the furlong-and-a-half pole. She has plenty of energy but, when she can channel it in the right direction, she is a very good filly.”