Tommy Stokes attributes his readiness for the next stage of his racing career to a period of patient development, as he officially forms a training partnership with his father, Phillip Stokes. The Stokes name will be officially listed in the race book as a training partnership for the first time this weekend, with Tommy expressing his conviction that the additional experience gained over the past year has adequately prepared him for the upcoming challenges.
Phillip Stokes had urged his son to join him for several seasons, particularly after Tommy took the reins of the stable’s Adelaide operations just before the COVID-19 pandemic. However, Tommy felt he still required more learning before assuming the responsibility.
“Dad’s asked me probably the last three or four seasons, but I just felt like I needed to learn more about the business and needed to move over to Victoria before joining in a partnership,” Stokes explained. “I made the move about 12 months ago to Pakenham and got a season under my belt there and really feel that I’m ready now.”
Tommy has an immediate prospect to celebrate his first winner as a trainer when Street Legal contests the opening race at Morphettville Parks as the favourite. The Exceedance gelding will compete in the $50,000 PFD Food Services Maiden Plate (1250m) after securing six runner-up or third-place finishes from his seven career starts.
Despite his consistent performances, Street Legal is still searching for his maiden victory, having finished third as the $1.65 favourite over 1000 metres at Morphettville Parks at his most recent start. “He’s obviously the class runner of the field, it’s just a case of him doing everything right and getting luck at the right point of the race,” Stokes stated. “The step up in trip does look ideal, especially with a low draw (barrier three). It all looks positive, so hopefully it plays out that way.”
Street Legal will be ridden by Noel Callow, who is embarking on a new phase in South Australia following a suspension. Callow is also booked to ride Bold Secret, the favourite in Race 8, where the Stokes stable will also field Australia Forever, with Will Price on board. Price has also been engaged for the emergency runner Lafont in Race 3, while Brooke King partners Nicish, the second favourite in Race 5. The stable’s Victorian runners are also scheduled to race on Saturday, with Rebel Tuesday competing in Race 2 at Flemington and I Am Velvet entered for Race 4.
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