Stokes pair out to rebound in Group One

[Wandering Eyes]

While most trainers would be rapt with an inside draw in a Group One feature, Phillip Stokes said it was far from ideal for his two mares in the Gr.1 The Goodwood (1200m) at Morphettville. 

Stokes saddles Stretan Angel (Harry Angel) and Climbing Star (NZ) (Zoustar) in the 1200m set weight plus penalties contest on Saturday with the mares drawing gates one and three respectively. 

“I’m not happy with those draws,” Stokes said. 

“I would prefer to be drawn middle to out with both of them, especially with the way they race at Morphettville, getting off the rails. 

“It doesn’t help us, although Climbing Star did get up on the fence when she won the Sangster last year, so hopefully that’s the case again. 

“But it certainly doesn’t help Stretan Angel, it’s not her racing style.” 

Climbing Star won the Gr.1 Robert Sangster Stakes (1200m) last year from gate 14 but was ridden for luck and got an inside passage. 

She then went on to finish third in The Goodwood jumping from gate 13. 

Stretan Angel had gate 10 in last year’s Sangster when finishing sixth then had gate seven when second in The Goodwood. 

Both mares contested this year’s Sangster Stakes with Stretan Angel finishing ninth from gate nine and Climbing Star in 12th spot, from barrier seven. 

“I’m not sure what happened with Climbing Star last time,” Stokes said. 

“She got buffeted early in the race and had an off day, but we can’t fault her and we’re hoping she will bounce back.” 

With Climbing Star to be sold at the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale on the Gold Coast later in May, The Goodwood will be her last start for Stokes, while Stretan Angel is expected to race on as a five-year-old. 

In a bid to extract the best from the two mares, Stokes has switched riders with Lachlan Neindorf going onto Stretan Angel and Thomas Stockdale switching to Climbing Star. 

Neindorf combined with Stokes to win the Gr.1 South Australian Derby (2500m) last week with Femminile (Dundeel). 

“Lachie rode them both on Tuesday and said they were good, so we can’t split them,” Stokes said. 

“We just thought Lachie rides Stretan Angel better. 

“Climbing Star is having her last run and she’s going to the broodmare sale up at the Gold Coast, so there is more upside for Lachie going back to Stretan Angel.”

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