Mystery Love earns spell after Guineas win

Mick Price Mick Price is looking forward to the spring with Bendigo Guineas winner Mystery Love.

Trainer Mick Price is looking ahead to the spring with Mystery Love after the filly remained unbeaten with a fighting victory at Bendigo.

After wins at Benalla and Sandown, Mystery Love added black-type to her record taking out Saturday’s Listed Bendigo Guineas.

Ridden by Michael Walker, Mystery Love ($6) scored a half-length win over Scottish Rogue ($12) with Saccharo ($8) a nose away third.

Price said the filly had a delayed start to her racing career due to a near front fetlock issue that took time to overcome.

He praised the ownership group for their patience in giving the filly the necessary time.

Price said the Mystery Love would head straight to the paddock after admitting post-race to concerns whether the filly had been given enough work ahead of Saturday’s race.

“I was walking on eggshells with her over the last week, just with has she had or has she not had enough,” Price said.

“I thought if we drew off the track we wouldn’t run her, but she drew barrier one so I thought we would.

“It was a great ride and she can go out now.

“She’ll be a nice mare, she was always going to be a nice mare, so to win a black- type race now, it’s fantastic.”

Price’s fitness concerns came flooding back passing the 200m mark when the chasing pack threw out the challenge.

“She’s tough, she’s sound but I thought she was gone a furlong out,” he said.

“It was a great effort as over the last week to 10 days we’ve been looking for excuses but she was tough as today.”

Jockey Michael Walker said with 54kg he wanted to make the other three-year-olds work hard while admitting he’d hit the front too early in the straight.

He also said the filly wasn’t at home on the track.

“Being the second last race, it’s chopped up now and she was ducking and diving in the ground,” Walker said.

“But all-in-all I think she’s got a very bright future.”