Adelaide pair chasing bonus VOBIS money

Adelaide trainer Ryan Balfour is returning to Melbourne with last-start Moonee Valley winner Mystified chasing bonus money at Caulfield.

The filly will be joined by stablemate Balf’s Choice on Saturday chasing $30,000 in Super VOBIS bonus money on top of the first prize of $44,000.

Balfour said Mystified, a scratching from the Morphettville meeting on Saturday, would have one more start before a break and then be prepared for a shot at the autumn races in Adelaide.

Mystified is to line up in in a Three and Four-year-Old Fillies and Mares Benchmark 70 race over 1100m.

After her victory at Moonee Valley on December 16, Mystified returned home to Adelaide.

Balfour wanted to keep an eye on the three-year-old saying she was still mentally fragile.

“Mentally she’s still got a bit to go. She’s a fiery, competitive filly,” Balfour said.

“The plan was to bring her back here and assess her.

“We can give her another run then we’ll be happy to go to the paddock off that.

“The way she won the other day she should be over in Melbourne chasing the VOBIS money.”

Balfour said Damien Oliver gave the filly a super ride to score at Moonee Valley, however the trainer will need to find another jockey.

Oliver was scheduled to ride at the Gold Coast on Saturday but will be serving a careless riding suspension out of the New Year’s Even Moonee Valley meeting.

Balf’s Choice will contest the Three and Four-Year-Old Benchmark 70 race over 1700m with Balfour suggesting the extra ground will suit him.

The gelding has finished third at his past two outings in Melbourne, the latest over 1600m at Caulfield on December 26.

He finished a shade under 3-1/2 lengths from the Darren Weir-trained import Plein Ciel who is unbeaten in three Australian starts.

“Balf’s Choice is looking for a trip as he comes through,” Balfour said.

“Plein Ciel is an impressive horse going places but our bloke, he’s knocking on the door for a win there soon.”

Balf’s Choice has remained in Victoria since his last-start performance, staying with Mark Lewis at Ballarat.