Phillip Stokes is preparing Arran Bay for Saturday’s Golden Mile at Bendigo, but he admits the gelding may still be building towards full race fitness.

Arran Bay will step up from a 1200m run last month to tackle the mile in this weekend’s Listed race, where he will carry the top weight in a full field of 16 runners.

His first-up effort at Moonee Valley didn’t reflect his ability, but Stokes explained it was more a result of unsuitable track conditions than form.

“We were pretty worried with the way the track was playing that day,” Stokes said.

“We said to just look after him, so he went to the rail and went around for a look.

“He may not be as wound up for this after that soft run first-up. It was frustrating, but that was as bad a track as I have seen for a long time.”

The Bendigo assignment marks a first for Arran Bay at the track. He has built a solid record throughout his career, winning nine of his 35 races and amassing more than $850,000 in earnings.

Initially a sprinter in South Australia, the gelding has developed into a reliable middle-distance competitor, including a placing at 2000m behind Torranzino—who just won the Group 3 Easter Cup.

“He’s good at the mile and he did run third over 2000 metres last time in,”