Stokes takes time with Mornington winners
Trainer Phillip Stokes will not rush towards upcoming spring contests with his Mornington winners Sizzlefly and Too Good Too Hard.
While holding hopes of bigger and better victories for the pair, Stokes says their time is likely to come in the autumn.
Sizzlefly was an odds-on favourite before winning Saturday’s Racetrack Veterinary Services Handicap and while taking on older horses, Stokes thought the filly would be more impressive.
“I thought she might have done that a little easier,” Stokes said.
“We might give her a little break now and bring her back towards the back-end of Melbourne Cup week, but if she doesn’t please she can go out and come back in the autumn.
“I think she capable of winning a good race.”
Sizzlefly was dropping from stakes company against three-year-old fillies to benchmark 70 level on Saturday.
Too Good Too Hard took out Thebigscreencompany.com.au Handicap, giving the mare her third win from five career starts.
The now four-year-old began racing in May after Stokes explained the mare had chips taken from a fetlock before her racing career began.
“It didn’t do her any harm as it gave her more time and the All Too Hard’s need that time,” Stokes said.
“It was a very soft win today and Luke gave her a lovely ride.
“She’s got better wins in her as we’ve just been putting her through her grades to give her experience.
“She’s got a lovely turn of foot and we’re just contemplating whether we keep her at 1200 metres or step her up to 1400 metres.”