New York Lustre returns for Group 3 Monash Stakes after ‘farcical' barrier drama

News.com.au

11-07-2025

New York Lustre looms as an X-factor in the Group 3 Sir John Monash Stakes (1100m) on Saturday.
The progressive five-year-old mare, trained by Enver Jusufovic, last raced in late April and missed an opportunity in Group 3 company, scratched at the barriers before the Proud Miss Stakes in Adelaide.
New York Lustre was kicked multiple times standing in the barrier, as runners around her in the stalls reacted to a fractious horse nearby.
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Fortunately, lightly-raced New York Lustre, a five-time winner from eight starts, escaped unscathed.
New York Lustre has been freshened up to target the Monash and while Jusufovic preferred to trial in preparation, the five-year-old mare completed a solid gallop at Cranbourne last Tuesday.
Star jockey Jamie Melham has ridden New York Lustre to victory twice previously and partnered the mare in the Cranbourne pipe-opener.
New York Lustre is $9 for the Sir John Monash Stakes from Sydney raider In Flight ($2.70), Cleo Cat ($5), Kallos ($6) and Recommendation ($8.50), who bolted in the race last year.
Jusufovic said fresh legs could be a force or factor on Saturday with New York Lustre potentially a bit vulnerable late.
'She might be a little bit underdone, but she might not be either,' Jusufovic said.
'She's been extremely well placed (winning) benchmark races.
'She's entitled to try and go to that next step now.
'Normally I get a good gauge in a jumpout, as to how they're going, this is a little bit different but she's nice and bright, and I'm hoping there's a bit of residual fitness and she's good to go.'
Cleo Cat, trained by Tom Dabernig, won the Proud Miss coincidently and Jusufovic fancied New York Lustre on the day before the 'farcical' barrier incident.
New York Lustre was forced to stand in her barrier for about 10 minutes as attendants worked on the fractious eventual non-starter.
Cleo Cat has trained on to place second her past two starts at Caulfield and Flemington respectively.
Jusufovic has sights on a promising spring campaign with Group 1-winner Pinstriped set to return in the Group 2 PB Lawrence Stakes (1400m) next month at Caulfield.
Jusufovic has also been pleased with up and comers Proved and Mytemptation.
'I'm happy with Pinstriped,' Jusufovic said.
'He's ahead of schedule … I've been able to take my time with him.
'Proved has come back into work, she's put on weight and looks great.
'Mytemptation, I think he can develop into a really nice horse.
'I've got a few there I'm hopeful can measure up to spring races.'