Aristocratic Miss may not have the best winning strike-rate but she never disappoints her co-trainer Calvin McEvoy.
She lines up for her 30th race start in Saturday's Listed Ballarat Cup (2000m), and McEvoy is amazed at the mare's constitution.
Having begun her career in one of Melbourne's early season two-year-old races, Aristocratic Miss contested Victoria's richest juvenile race, the Blue Diamond Stakes over 1200m.
As she has grown older and developed, now four-year-old Aristocratic Miss is appreciating middle distances.
That was borne out by her last start third in the Group Two Matriarch Stakes at Flemington on November 9 which McEvoy, who trains in partnership with his father Tony, pointed out was almost a career-best performance.
“Ryan Moore rode and settled her beautifully, but she got held up a little bit and there are arguments to say she could have nearly won that race,” McEvoy said.
“We're so pleased with how she's going.
“She really holds her condition well and she's got a great constitution which is why she can have such a long prep.”
McEvoy says Aristocratic Miss does not win out of turn but is usually competitive and rarely returns home without a cheque.
“We've placed her quite aggressively throughout her career,” McEvoy said.
“She ran in the Blue Diamond as a two-year-old and went up to Sydney to run in a Flight Stakes as a three-year-old.
“She's had a tough old time but nearly always returns with a cheque.
“We're excited to have her there tomorrow and I'm happy to see the favourite (Harbour Views) scratched which makes it a little bit easier.
“It's a very strong race as you would expect with the prize money on offer but she's won at 2100 (metres) so the trip won't be an issue. It's all about getting her to relax and using herself right.”
The McEvoys have a stable in Melbourne and are counting their blessings after a bush fire missed their South Australian property at Angaston earlier this week.
The scratching of Harbour Views means the Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained Dr Drill heads the market at $3.40 ahead of Fifty Stars at $5.
Hang Man ($9) and Double You Tee ($9.50) are next in line with Aristocratic Miss a $14 chance.