Phillip Stokes has only had four-year-old mare Mileva in his care for a year but she’s proven herself as a handy sprinter and went to the next level on Saturday, winning the Group 3 Sir John Monash Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield.
Already a three-time listed winner, once with previous trainer Oopy Macgillivray, Mileva was sent around as a $4.40 second favourite and overhauled the leaders in the final 100m, with Bless Her running an improved race in second and Sartorial Splendor holding on for third.
Race favourite Oxley Road loomed up off a wide run but peaked in the straight to finish seventh, beaten less than two lengths.
With former stable star mare Instant Celebrity now retired, Mileva has big shoes to fill but is on the right track according to Stokes.
“It was very satisfying, the team have done a great job with her, she spelled well, she presented beautifully today, and Daniel Moor gave her a lovely ride,” Stokes said.
Daniel Moor was confident going in, saying the mare ticked plenty of boxes.
“The writing was on the wall with two impressive trials and she had the form here at Caulfield. We had a beautiful run and when I asked her to take that run at the top of the lane she was more than obliging to take it,” Moor said.
A Spring path remains unclear for Mileva, who has struggled at the end of six furlong in the past, but the Group 3 Bletchingly Stakes (1200m) could be an option if Stokes thinks she can extend another 100m.
“Where we go now we’ll see… 1200m, that’s the question mark, we’re proven at 1100 but she’s a bit stronger and I’ll have a talk to Daniel (Moor), it looked like she didn’t get tugging too bad so we might have to have a throw at the stumps,” Stokes said.