Stokes has spring goals for Eclair Breeze
Trainer Phillip Stokes hopes Sandown winner Eclair Breeze can progress to feature spring races.
A short break ahead of a spring campaign is on the cards for Eclair Breeze after the filly broke her maiden status at Sandown.
Trainer Phillip Stokes hopes Eclair Breeze is up to the rich spring three-year-old fillies races after her win in the Ladbrokes Info Hub Handicap (1200m) on Sunday.
The Group One Thousand Guineas (1600m) at Caulfield in October is among his aims for the filly.
“We can aim high and work back from there but the Edward Manifold (Stakes) could suit,” Stokes said.
“We’ve had a lot of luck over the years in that race, so if we can get there great and then on to the Group One, all the better.
“She’ll be definitely better in her three-year-old campaign so we’ll give her a little break after this and see where she can get to.
“We can’t give her too long out so she’ll go straight to my farm and have a build-up for the spring races from there.”
Ridden by John Allen, Eclair Breeze ($5.50) scored a long neck win from Calmyourfarm ($9.50) with the $3.50 favourite Spirit Medium a short head away third.
Stokes said Eclair Breeze was a lovely filly he did not pay a lot for as a yearling at the Melbourne sales.
“Her first run was plain but she wasn’t there physically or mentally so we tipped her out and brought her over here and took her along quietly,” Stokes said.
“It’s a great result for Thomas Li. He’s been a massive supporter of our stable but he’s been a little quiet over the last few years.
“I also want to thank (apprentice) Kayla Crowther who has put a lot of time into the filly.”