Phillip Stokes recognises that, with his postcode beginning with three, he is not ideally placed to boast about Stretan Ruler ahead of the Golden Slipper.
However, the trainer from Pakenham believes he is correctly positioned to secure a uncommon victory for Victoria in Sydney’s top juvenile contest.
The son of Wild Ruler trained by Stokes will progress towards the $5 million Golden Slipper via this Saturday’s $300,000 Group 2 Todman Stakes (1200m) at Randwick.
Even after a commanding triumph in the Silver Slipper where he announced his arrival, Stretan Ruler trails several Sydney contenders in Golden Slipper betting, despite none matching his rating, though Stokes accepts the market dynamics.
“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.”
Stretan Ruler seeks to be the inaugural Victorian winner of the nation’s leading two-year-old event since Crystal Lily, prepared by Mat Ellerton and Simon Zahra in 2010; the race is scheduled for Rosehill on March 21.
The sole other Victorian victor post Lee Freedman’s four straight wins concluding with Merlene in 1996 was Miss Finland, under David Hayes, in 2006.
Stokes chose the February 21 Silver Slipper for Stretan Ruler rather than the Group 1 Blue Diamond, avoiding an outside gate draw.
The colt adapted seamlessly to the Sydney track, powering clear by 3-1/2 lengths over Eviction Notice, set to oppose again on Saturday.
In the Silver Slipper over the last 30 years, only Mossfun (four lengths, en route to Golden Slipper win in 2014) and Amelia’s Dream (6-1/4 lengths, but skipped the Slipper) recorded larger margins.
For his opponents, it’s concerning that Stokes noted it marked the colt’s initial Sydney-style workout.
“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.”
Stretan Ruler has secured barrier four in the Todman Stakes, which features 11 runners including Golden Slipper hope Paradoxium from gate five.
Explore the top Australian betting sites to find the best racing odds for the Todman Stakes.
