Stokes looking to go back-to-back in Monash Stakes

Trainer Phillip Stokes will attempt back-to-back wins in the Group 3 Sir John Monash Stakes with Mileva, but this time for a new ownership group.

Mileva was purchased for $700,000 at the Inglis Chairman’s Sale in May by Kia Ora Stud with Saturday’s Group 3 sprint over 1100m at Caulfield potentially the mare’s last race.

The daughter of Headway defeated the Bless Her, a likely opponent again on Saturday, last year.

“I would say that she will go to stud this year, and this might even be her final race, unless I can twist their arm and find something else,” Stokes said.

“The new owners are Kia Ora Stud, and it was good of them to send her back to us.

“There is the (Group 3) Bletchingly Stakes (1200m) two weeks later, but she needs everything right to get the 1200 metres.

“She just gets it on a good day, so that’s why the 1100 metres is perfect, but, unfortunately, there’s not many of them around.”

Mileva started her career with Dan Clarken and Oppy MacGillivray at Murray Bridge before making her way to Stokes where she was successful at Caulfield in October 2021 at her first outing the stable.

She was successful in the Listed Kensington Stakes (1000m) at Flemington the following December while her last win came in the Monash Stakes last year.

Mileva had three autumn starts, two in Melbourne finishing down the track in the Oakleigh Plate (1100m), running third in the Abell Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley then finishing second to Kallos in the Group 3 R N Irwin Stakes (1100m) at Morphettville at her most recent start.

But Stokes said the mare was ready for her return following a jump-out at Pakenham on June 21.

“She jumped out well. Ben Allen rode her, and he was rapt in her,” Stokes said.

“He would like to take the ride if he can make the weight as he’s won twice on her before.

“Fresh, first-up, she should run very well.”