New York Lustre is set for a crack at Stakes level after her winning return at Moonee Valley, with trainer Enver Jusufovic confirming the mare will head to Adelaide next.

The five-year-old resumed with a strong performance in Saturday’s FRS Fire Services Handicap (1000m) and will now target the Group 3 Proud Miss Stakes (1200m) at Morphettville on May 10.

Starting as the $2.45 favourite, New York Lustre overcame a slow start before powering through under Carleen Hefel to defeat Gitalong ($8) by three-quarters of a length, with Machinist ($3.90) close up in third.

Jusufovic wasn’t concerned by the tardy getaway and said he was confident mid-race that his mare would be too strong.

“She was a bit tardy out of the barriers,” Jusufovic said.

“She can be a little bit restless there, but the way the race panned out, Carleen got her into a wonderful position and I thought from the 600 (metres) onwards she was the one to beat.

“First-up, she’s unbeaten, bar her first ever race start, so hopefully the horse pulls up well and we’ll go to Adelaide.”

Jusufovic has had the Proud Miss Stakes circled since New York Lustre wrapped up her previous campaign with a Sandown win, and believes Black Type success would be a major boost for owner Mike Howard.

“Mike Howard is a breeder and an investor in the industry, so to get a bit of Black Type is important for his cause and his business,” Jusufovic said.

“I don’t know what the ceiling is with this mare yet, but to win five in a row, like another horse of mine has done this prep, it’s great and I’m hoping for bigger and better things with them.”

The trainer also credited the success to strong teamwork between himself, Howard, and farm manager Sarah Berry.

“We’re patient people, we discuss things logically and if things aren’t working out, we’ll work out a plan,” Jusufovic said.

“It’s all about having structures in place and I’ve got two people who are on the same page as to how I operate.”