Stokes pins hopes on Pakenham prep for Stretan Angel's Group 1 quest
Phillip Stokes as trainer is pinning his hopes on a method that clinched a former installment of the Robert Sangster Stakes to pay off for Stretan Angel.
With operations at Pakenham and Morphettville stables, preparing Stretan Angel for the Group 1 1200m race restricted to fillies and mares on Saturday from Stokes' Adelaide yard would appear sensible, especially post her third placing upon return at Morphettville.
Instead, Stokes elected to relocate Stretan Angel to the mare's accustomed Pakenham setting for her Robert Sangster Stakes buildup.
The trainer has secured victories in two from the previous five Robert Sangster Stakes runnings, mirroring the plan used for the 2024 winner Climbing Star.
Prior to her Robert Sangster Stakes success, Climbing Star completed two lead-up races in Adelaide and journeyed back to Pakenham on both occasions.
For Stretan Angel, there's been only a single return run, a third to Super Smink in the Group 3 RN Irwin Stakes (1100m) held at Morphettville April 11.
That race saw Climbing Star finish runner-up before she claimed the Robert Sangster Stakes next start.
In pursuit of greater performance from Stretan Angel, Stokes has applied minor modifications.
"I thought her first-up run was OK, and we've gone put the blinkers back on her, but it's a very tough race this year," Stokes said.
"I bought her back after her first-up run.
"I did that with Climbing Star, but she can stay over after she has this one.
"She likes her home environment, so that's why we did it.
"Her best is good enough and I think she's going OK, but she's getting sold after this run and The Goodwood."
In the previous Robert Sangster Stakes, Stretan Angel was ninth and followed up with 11th in The Goodwood.
Set for May 9 at Morphettville, The Goodwood is a Group 1 sprint over 1200m.
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