News Detail
Stoked! A Triple Threat
We’re set for another big Saturday at Stokes Racing with feature runners across three states, headlined by the return of our Group 1-winning sprinter Climbing Star.
With the Adelaide carnival ramping up it's only fitting that some of our stars are on display at Morphettville this Saturday, and few in the stable rival that of Climbing Star, who will resume in the G3 Irwin Stakes off the back of a pleasing trial at Pakenham on March 25th.
Despite Climbing Star drawing awkwardly, barrier 10 of 11, we are confident she will return in good order and set herself up for a crack at more top-tier glory in the G1 Sangster Stakes and the G1 Goodwood Handicap.
Stretan Angel, who has been freshened at Phillip’s farm since her brave fourth placing in the G1 William Reid Stakes, will jump out at Pakenham on Tuesday morning before taking her place alongside Climbing Star in the G1 Sangster Stakes on April 26th.
Other key runners on Saturday at Morphettville, include Arrowfield’s last start Listed Clare Lindop Stakes winner Comanche Miss in the G3 Auraria Stakes, her final lead up into next fortnight’s G1 Australasian Oaks. We will also be represented by OTI Racing and Aralet's Femminile, along with Pelevecchio in the 3YO fillies feature.
Athanatos, who broke through for a well-deserved victory at Flemington last start, is another of our key runners drawn wide. Despite the gate, barrier 11, Athanatos looks to be very well-placed stepping out to the 1800m journey of the Listed Port Adelaide Guineas.
Feature racing in Victoria heads to Bendigo on Saturday for Golden Mile Day and we will be represented by stable stalwart Arran Bay in the main event.
While he boasts a superb second-up record, four wins from six starts, there is still plenty of improvement to come this campaign after he cruised around first-up in horrendous conditions at The Valley.
A horse we are extremely excited to see step out at the “Nursery of Champions” is Sweethearted, who lines up in a competitive 3YO Handicap, Race 5.
Sweethearted attacked the line strongly first-up at Flemington to finish just 2.2L off Kiwi sprint sensation Alabama Lass. So, from the good draw, barrier five, we are confident he can prove hard to beat under multiple Group 1-winning hoop Joe Bowditch. We will also saddle up Prinzerro in Race 3 and Street Of Dreams in the lucky last.
Ever consistent Bennett Racing mare Zaszou will get her chance at Group glory in the G2 Sapphire Stakes at Randwick on Saturday after a super first-up showing at Flemington last month.
While it’s a field of class mares Zaszou hasn’t missed a beat since her last start and the red-hot Craig Williams should give her every chance from the 1200m chute start.
Our other Bennett Racing galloper in Stay Focused is now set for next month’s G3 Fred Best Classic at Eagle Farm after blowing his rivals away in last Saturday’s Listed Nitschke Stakes at Morphettville.
Our bold front running son of Cosmic Force has been a force to be reckoned with in recent starts and with his confidence high we are looking forward to seeing what he can produce during the Queensland winter carnival.
Stay Focused's full-brother Stay Cosmic will head to Flemington for the 1400m Listed ANZAC Day Stakes after a narrow defeat at Sandown on Wednesday.Our talented but enigmatic filly I Am Velvet got it right on raceday at Sandown on Wednesday, running away with a well-deserved first-up victory under Craig Williams.
I Am Velvet is owned by great supporters of the stable in Darren and Liz Dance of Australian Thoroughbred Bloodstock, and we are now hopeful she can progress through the grades and realise her true potential.
Racing Manager's Nick Pinkerton and Jackson Frantz are back with their in-depth preview of the stables key chances on Saturday.
Click here to listen to the full podcast
Phillip, Tommy, Nick and our bloodstock agent Suman Hedge put in the work on the ground at the Inglis Easter Sale and managed to walk away with three quality yearlings for the stable.
Our haul included Lot 185, a half-brother to Stretan Angel, Lot 207 a North Pacific half-sister to G1 Queensland Oaks winner Socks Nation and Lot 212, a well-related Maurice x Teaspoon colt from the draft of Arrowfield Stud, who have opted to stay in for half.
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