Enver Jusufovic has stuck to the philosophy of keeping his horses in modest company, a method that has worked wonders for New York Lustre, who boasts five wins from just eight starts.

That approach is about to shift with the mare stepping up to black type level for the first time in Saturday’s Group 3 Sir John Monash Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield.

The mare’s initial foray into Stakes racing didn’t go to plan—she was withdrawn at the barriers before the Proud Miss Stakes in May after an incident involving another runner.

“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’s most recent outing was a win in benchmark 78 grade at Moonee Valley in April, and she’s been kept fresh since.

Although a jump-out was preferred in the lead-up to Saturday, Jusufovic instead chose a gallop on Cranbourne’s grass with Jamie Melham in the saddle, avoiding the synthetic Polytrack.

“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 five-year-old, owned and bred by Mike Howard, could soon be retired to stud, so Saturday’s race is crucial in trying to earn valuable Black Type status.

“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.”

To get involved in betting on the Sir John Monash Stakes, New York Lustre is a rising contender worth watching.