The adage about keeping horses in the worst company and yourself in the best has paid dividends for Enver Jusufovic and his mare New York Lustre, who has won five of her eight starts to date.

However, Jusufovic is ready to test New York Lustre at a higher level, with the mare set to make her Stakes debut in Saturday’s Group 3 Sir John Monash Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield.

The attempt comes after a previous missed opportunity, when she was withdrawn at the barriers from the Proud Miss Stakes in May due to a pre-race incident.

“It was a debacle there behind the barriers,” Jusufovic told RSN.

“There was a 14-minute delay. She stood there for about 10 minutes, and the Darwin horse (Dakota Lee) went off.

“She was two stalls away, but they didn’t get her out and she got kicked about six times.

“I understand why she was scratched, but she didn’t seem to take any ill-effect from it.

“She had a week off after that, went into pre-training and hopefully she’s fit enough (for Saturday).”

New York Lustre hasn’t raced since claiming a benchmark 78 race at Moonee Valley in April, and preparations for her return have been slightly unconventional.

Jusufovic wanted to give her a jump-out but opted against using the synthetic track at Cranbourne, instead giving her a strong grass gallop on Tuesday with race jockey Jamie Melham aboard.

“She does excel first-up,” Jusufovic said.

“In an ideal world, I would have liked to have jumped her out, but they had them on the Poly this last Monday, which is probably not the ideal surface for her, so I opted to gallop her instead.

“It is a little bit of unchartered territory (on Saturday), but she looks well, and it was a good hit-out (on Tuesday).

“She had a good blow, and she’s very bright.”

The ultimate aim is to secure valuable Black Type for New York Lustre, who is nearing the end of her racing career and expected to move into breeding for owner and breeder Mike Howard.

Jusufovic believes the mare has thrived thanks to smart placement throughout her career, including her five-race winning streak.

“She was learning to race and has been able to get that confidence and that winning feeling,” Jusufovic said.

“She’s certainly a winner, she knows where the line is, but the key has been the placement and it’s important now for Mike Howard to get some Black Type with her.

“She’s five, rising six, and Mike is an avid breeder and seller.”

If you’re interested in betting on the Sir John Monash Stakes, New York Lustre offers a compelling storyline for punters following her rise to Stakes company.