Phillip Stokes confident of Flemington Cup win for Taramansour if track is not heavy

A heavy track at Flemington could pose a problem for a Phillip Stokes stayer who is on the cusp of victory this prep.

Taramansour (yellow cap) has placed in four of the past five starts, including twice at Flemington. Picture: Brett Holburt/Racing Photos via Getty Images

A wet track is the “only concern” trainer Phillip Stokes has for second favourite Taramansour in the Deane Lester Flemington Cup (2800m) on Saturday.

Taramansour has placed in four of the past five starts, two on soft-rated tracks, but a Heavy 8 at Flemington could be a stretch.

“The horse is flying, ready to win,” Stokes said.

“We just need the track to get into the soft range, which it probably will be at Flemington.

“A heavy track he’s no good on it.

“I will run him regardless, there’s not much more around for him … he’s holding his form, he’s working well and looks great.”

• Early Oil: Race-by-race preview for Flemington on Saturday

Taramansour, $3.80 with TAB behind Speycaster ($3.10), trained by Chris Waller, has strong winter form going into the Flemington Cup.

He finished 4¾-length second behind Caulfield Cup-aimed Berkshire Breeze last start at Flemington in the Banjo Paterson (2600m).

BERKSHIRE BREEZE blows them all away with a dominant display in the Banjo Paterson Series Final.

We should see him again at Flemington this Spring in The Archer or Bart Cummings.

📽 @7HorseRacingpic.twitter.com/zPqrT1LreS

— Victoria Racing Club (@FlemingtonVRC) July 6, 2024

The start prior, Taramansour placed second at Flemington again to Born A King in 2540m Quality Handicap.

Born A King, the second Waller runner in the field on Saturday and a noted good track performer, is a $19 chance after a moderate effort in soft going last start.

• King Magnus ready for first 2000m test at Flemington

Earlier in a consistent but somewhat luckless campaign, seven-year-old Taramansour placed third behind Fawkner Park in the Wagga Cup (2000m).

“I didn’t expect to run into that (Fawkner Park), it looked like we had it won and then that horse ran straight past us,” Stokes said.

Fawkner Park shot to the top of Caulfield Cup markets, $11 with TAB, in subsequent starts – third in the Group 1 Doomben Cup (2000m) and victory in the Group 2 Q22 (2200m) in Brisbane.

Born A King from last to first in the Boys To The Bush Community Trophy!

📽 @7HorseRacingpic.twitter.com/0WYgcWRFHJ

— Victoria Racing Club (@FlemingtonVRC) June 22, 2024

Berkshire Breeze is $18 in the bookmaker’s pre-nominations Caulfield Cup ledger.

Taramansour has won at 2400m previously, earlier in his career with trainer Matt Cumani, but not raced beyond 2600m.

The 2800m trip on Saturday is not expected to be an issue for the multiple Group 3 Bendigo Cup (2400m) placed stayer, hard fit and in form, set to jump from the widest of 13 barriers.

“That (barrier) won’t worry him, all things equal if he gets a fair run and improving surface he should be thereabouts,” Stokes said.

“Jamie Kah on, she’ll be ready to go.”

Kah has eight rides on Saturday in her return to the saddle after a deserved six-week winter holiday.

Her Flemington commitments include Just Like Gaby (R3) and South Of Houston (R6).

Originally published as Phillip Stokes confident of Flemington Cup win for Taramansour if track is not heavy