Tom Dabernig is planning a campaign around the $5million All-Star Mile for Flying Mascot who will resume at Caulfield on Saturday.
The Group 3 Geoffrey Bellmaine Stakes (1200m) will be the only opportunity Flying Mascot has to show her wares before All-Star Mile voting closes the following day.
Flying Mascot current sits in 10th position on the leader board, a week out from the close of voting.
Dabernig said Flying Mascot would head to the Group 3 Mannerism Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on February 26 if she makes the field for the All-Star Mile (1600m) at Flemington on March 19.
If the daughter of Tavistock does not make the final field for the All-Star Mile, the Group 2 Sunline Stakes (1600m) at The Valley on March 25 would be her target.
Flying Mascot won the Group 3 Tesio Stakes (1600m) at The Valley on Cox Plate Day last year.
Deep down Dabernig believes the Sunline Stakes is the ideal race for Flying Mascot, but the ownenship group has their eyes set of gaining a 2022 All-Star Mile start.
“For me, the Mannerism and the Sunline would be more realistic for her to be winning, but because The Flying Start Syndications are a big group, they’re really focussed on the All-Star Mile,” Dabernig said.
“Knowing her and what’s going to be in the All-Star, I think she has a better chance in a couple of other more realistic races.
“But I think she is going better than what she was in the spring, and she is lightly raced so you don’t really know where she might get to.”
Flying Mascot has only raced the 10 times, registering four wins and three placings.
After winning the Tesio Stakes, Flying Mascot went on to finish fifth in the Group 1 Empire Rose Stakes (1600m) at Flemington during Melbourne Cup week.
In preparation for her return, Flying Mascot has trialled at Geelong on January 25 before heading to Horsham for a jump-out last Tuesday.
“She’s seems to be going really well,” Dabernig said.