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Star mares Aardiebytheseaside and Steno have had mixed fortunes at this morning’s Westral-Mares Classic (2536m) barrier draw.

August Cup winner Aardiebytheseaside was a key winner from the draw, where she came up with barrier two.

The same couldn't be said for Steno, who won the Norms Daughter Classic earlier this month, after she drew barrier six.

As well as Steno, trainer Jocelyn Young has Castella Dellacqua (barrier seven) and Peaceful (12) engaged in the Group 1 event.

The winner of last Friday night's mares' race Our Sandy Shore was another notable winner, with the Colin Brown-trained pacer to start from barrier one.

Wonderful To Fly, who finished runner-up to Simply Shaz in last year's Mares Classic, drew fairly in barrier three.

Talented mares Nullarbor Navajo and Little Darling look set to have a tough task in front of them from barriers four and five respectively.

Soho Seraphine (barrier eight), Penny Black (nine), Starlight Dream (10) and Stormyskyes (11) round out the field.

Trainer Michael Young, who has Penny Black engaged, said he pre-barrier draw he was pleased with how Penny Black was progressing.

"She bounced off that Norms Daughter run really well," Young told TABradio.

"Her work has been really good.

"Take nothing away from anything else in the Norms Daughter, but she was probably near run of the race.

"She ran the fastest last half and was the widest runner.

"That style of sit-kick doesn't suit her."