Local galloper Taramansour has completed a sharp form turnaround to hand Phillip Stokes his first victory in the Pakenham Cup.

Stokes, who operates between Morphettville and Pakenham, has been based at the Victorian track since its expansion in 2019 and had long targeted the Listed staying feature.

The breakthrough came over 2500 metres on Saturday, despite stablemate Skippers Canyon starting a well-backed favourite.

Under a well-judged Luke Currie ride, Taramansour ($26) surged clear to score by 3-¼ lengths from Star Vega, with Etna Rosso close up in third.

The rising 10-year-old had endured a demanding campaign and came off a disappointing Caulfield run that prompted retirement talk among owners.

“After his last run, a few of the owners said let’s retire him, let’s tip him out, but I said ‘no, he’s going OK’,” Stokes said.

“We changed things up a bit and I have to give a big thank-you to the team behind us, especially Ross Elliot.”

A change in tactics proved decisive, and Stokes indicated the Listed Bagot Handicap (2800m) could be next.