Mystic Empire Stakes placed at her 2nd start

It hasn't taken long for All Too Hard to notch his first black-type performer with Mystic Empire in the Group 3 Widden Stakes (1100m) at Rosehill on Saturday.

The Gai Waterhouse – Adrian Bott trained filly finished a half-length second to Teaspoon after sprinting to a clear lead in the straight. Her condition ran out in the final stages but connections were pleased with the first-up effort after a four-month spell. "She ran really well," jockey Tim Clark said. "And she will improve with that run under the belt." Mystic Empire (2f All Too Hard - Empress Wu by General Nediym) had finished midfield at her only other start in the LR Gimcrack Stakes last October. "She's talented and very professional," Waterhouse said. "I'm expecting more improvement both physically and mentally." A $140,000 buy for Darby Racing at the 2016 Gold Coast Magic Millions, she is from a half-sister to G1 AJC Oaks winner Royal Descent.