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Mileva ready to go for Monash
Phillip Stokes' mare Mileva will be out to build on her strong first-up record when she contests the Group 3 Sir John Monash Stakes at Caulfield on Saturday.
The daughter of Headwater has never finished out of the top two four outings when resuming.
"Mileva's come back in good order," Stokes said.
"She's quite forward for this race, she's had two jumpouts here and we just thought we'd get her up and about for the early part of the spring and then see where she ends up."
Daniel Moor is booked to ride Mileva, who hasn't raced since March and Stokes has noticed some physical changes to the four-year-old in that time.
"She has matured a bit; she's strengthened up a little bit," he said.
"All things being equal, she's got to step up again but I'm expecting a good run."
Mileva has only had five starts for the Pakenham-based trainer but has already registered two victories at Listed level in that time, so what is the key to getting the best out of her?
"Once you've got her fit, you've just got to keep her fresh and happy and she seems to like being trained like that," Stokes replied.
"Just keep her to the sprint trips and she always gives you a good sight."
