Despite drawing favourable gates on paper, Phillip Stokes believes inside barriers could work against his mares Stretan Angel and Climbing Star in Saturday’s Group 1 The Goodwood (1200m) at Morphettville.
Stokes wasn’t thrilled after Stretan Angel drew barrier one and Climbing Star drew gate three for the feature sprint.
“I’m not happy with those draws,” Stokes said.
“I would prefer to be drawn middle to out with both of them, especially with the way they race at Morphettville, getting off the rails.
“It doesn’t help us, although Climbing Star did get up on the fence when she won the Sangster last year, so hopefully that’s the case again.
“But it certainly doesn’t help Stretan Angel, it’s not her racing style.”
Climbing Star’s success in last year’s Robert Sangster Stakes came from barrier 14, while she ran third in The Goodwood from gate 13. Meanwhile, Stretan Angel was sixth and second respectively in those two races last season.
Both mares ran in this year’s Sangster again — Stretan Angel finishing ninth and Climbing Star coming 12th — but Stokes remains optimistic.
“I’m not sure what happened with Climbing Star last time,” he said. “She got buffeted early in the race and had an off day, but we can’t fault her and we’re hoping she will bounce back.”
With Climbing Star heading to the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale later this month, Saturday will be her final race for the stable. Stretan Angel, however, is expected to continue into her five-year-old season.
Stokes has reshuffled his jockeys, with Lachlan Neindorf now booked to ride Stretan Angel, and Thomas Stockdale switching to Climbing Star. Neindorf won last weekend’s Group 1 South Australian Derby aboard Femminile for Stokes.
“Lachie rode them both on Tuesday and said they were good, so we can’t split them,” Stokes said.
“We just thought Lachie rides Stretan Angel better.”
“Climbing Star is having her last run and she’s going to the broodmare sale up at the Gold Coast, so there is more upside for Lachie going back to Stretan Angel.
“I feel Stretan Angel keeps taking that step and it would be nice to get that Group 1 for her, so she’ll race on for another year.”
