Phillip Stokes confident with Stretan Ruler for Todman Stakes
Aware of his Victorian base indicated by a postcode starting with three, Phillip Stokes avoids aggressive claims for Stretan Ruler regarding the Golden Slipper.
Nonetheless, the Pakenham-based handler is certain his preparation is spot on for a scarce NSW juvenile riches win for his state.
Stokes' Wild Ruler colt advances his campaign for the $5 million Golden Slipper through Saturday's $300,000 Group 2 Todman Stakes (1200m) conducted at Randwick.
Stretan Ruler, fresh from a powerful Silver Slipper victory, remains behind various local rivals in Golden Slipper wagering despite superior ratings, a situation Stokes attributes to geography.
"I'm tipping it's because we're not a Sydney trainer," he said.
"A Melbourne horse hasn't won it for a long time, that's how hard it is to do, but we've given the horse every chance by getting up there early.
"Chad Schofield came out and galloped him on Saturday at Rosehill and he was really happy with him.
"We couldn't be happier with the horse."
The colt targets status as Victoria's first Todman Stakes victor since 2010's Crystal Lily by Mat Ellerton and Simon Zahra, with the elite two-year-old showdown at Rosehill March 21.
Following Lee Freedman's run ending with Merlene in 1996, just David Hayes' Miss Finland in 2006 triumphed from Victoria.
Opting past the Group 1 Blue Diamond due to a wide barrier, Stokes entered Stretan Ruler in the February 21 Silver Slipper.
No trouble handling Sydney's layout, the colt surged 3-1/2 lengths ahead of returning foe Eviction Notice.
Those margins trail only Mossfun's four lengths to Golden Slipper glory in 2014 and Amelia's Dream's 6-1/4 lengths without Slipper appearance, in 30 Silver Slipper years.
Stokes revealed it was the colt's debut Sydney gallop, boding ill for rivals.
"I'm pleased we didn't go to the Blue Diamond because he then had plenty of time to get up there and get used to going that way around, because he hadn't been that way around before he went to the races," he said.
"He's going to take a lot of natural improvement out of that."
In the Todman Stakes of 11, barrier four suits Stretan Ruler alongside Slipper contender Paradoxium in gate five.
Visit leading online bookmakers for competitive Todman Stakes betting markets.
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