Phillip Stokes has finally relented and called for a set of blinkers on Ancestry when the sprinter resumes at Caulfield.
Ancestry will sport the headgear in the Listed Christmas Stakes (1100m) on Boxing Day as he looks to turn around a disappointing two run campaign early in the spring.
Stokes was searching for answers when Ancestry ran a fading fifth behind in the Listed Norman Carlyon Stakes at The Valley in August before finishing last in the Listed Chautauqua Stakes, again at The Valley, the following month.
He said it was a far cry from Ancestry’s previous preparation that saw him land the Listed Abell Stakes (1200m) at The Valley in March.
“He had a bit of a tweak in a suspensory, but we feel we’re on top of that now and his gallops have been good,” Stokes said.
“And we’ve made a bit of a bold move and put blinkers on him.
“His best is good enough, but we haven’t seen it for a while. I think he’s going well, but I thought he was going good last prep as well, but he ended up going terrible.”
The winner of the Christmas Stakes is eligible for a ballot exemption into the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate (1100m) at Caulfield in February.
Ancestry competed in the Oakleigh Plate earlier this year finishing 15th behind dead-heaters Celebrity Queen and Portland Sky.
Shamino will also represent Stokes in Sunday’s Listed race, although the trainer is not as effusive about that sprinter’s prospects.
In two runs this campaign, Shamino has finished eighth in the Listed Doveton Stakes (1000m) at Caulfield last month and last in the Listed Kensington Stakes (1000m) at Flemington on December 11.
“Blinkers went on the other day, and he still got beaten four-and-a-half lengths,” Stokes said.
“He’s been a good horse, but up in the ratings he’s starting to struggle, so we need to see with him.”