Morphettville Parks preview: Phillips Stokes has grand plans for Oaklands Plate contender Instant Celebrity
Trainer Phillip Stokes has a high opinion of promising two-year-old Instant Celebrity and could be tempted to shoot for the stars in the spring if she can win the Oaklands Plate.
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Promising juvenile Instant Celebrity is likely to be among the nominations for the Group 1 Thousand Guineas at Caulfield in October.
The two-year-old filly has had just one start, but the impression created by the Morphettville win last month has highly regarded trainer Phillip Stokes pondering options for a Melbourne campaign.
“We’ve always had an opinion of her, she is a horse we think will come to Melbourne at some stage,” Stokes said. “She is a nice filly. More than likely she will come to Melbourne and be nominated for races like the Thousand Guineas.”
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The strength of Instant Celebrity’s win over 1200m on June 20 gave every indication the extra 200m will suit the filly and she is the early favourite in the $100,000 Oaklands Plate, a Listed race for two-year olds at Morphettville on Saturday.
In-form jockey Kayla Crowther, who has already outridden her apprentice claim and needs only two more wins to crack the ton this season, has retained the ride.
Assistant trainer Tommy Stokes said the month between runs was “always a query with young ones”, but he was very happy with Instant Celebrity.
“She had a solid jump out at Murray Bridge and jumped out really well,” Tommy said. “We left her at Murray Bridge for four days, we have got day yards there we can use, and she has come back in very well.
“She does everything right so you are half way there when going up in trip.”
There are six last-start winners in the Oaklands Plate, evidence of the strength of class in the line-up. Among those is Super Striker, trained by Leon Macdonald and Andrew Gluyas, and Victorian Foxgossip.
The Angaston stables of Tony and Calvin McEvoy will have five runners with betting suggesting Kahaylaan is their best chance of victory.
Tony admitted it was not ideal having five horses in the same race, but said it was a listed race at the back end of the season for the two-year-olds and all were great form.
“They’ve either won or been stiff not to win at their last starts,” he said. “I have a soft spot for Kahaylaan, I think he’s a highly talented horse, although he is still working it out, of course.
“I took him to Murray Bridge on Wednesday and he galloped there beautifully. I probably lean to him, but there not much in it.”
HYPERSONIC REVIVAL
Leading trainer Tony McEvoy knew he had a horse with enormous potential when the then-unraced two-year-old Hypersonic won a trial against older sprinters at Doomben early last year.
The Magic Millions on the Gold Coast was the target, such was the confidence McEvoy had in the gelding. However, his debut was put on hold when he “jarred up” after the trial. The issue again flared after winning a December trial at Tatura, further delaying the start to his career. It was not until two weeks ago the three-year-old finally got to the racetrack, and McEvoy’s patience was rewarded with an emphatic win in quick time over 900m at Murray Bridge.
“It looks like his issues are behind him,” McEvoy, pictured, said. “He had bone pain growing up, but I think that is all behind him. I’ve been able to train him normally and he has been adapting to the training normally.”
McEvoy has no doubt the gelding, early favourite for the Furphy Handicap over 1000m at Morphettville on Saturday, has made significant progress since his only start.
“He has improved in fitness and trimmed up a little bit,” McEvoy said. “I could not be more pleased with him. He ran a very fast time at Murray Bridge and probably did not need to improve, but I believe he has.”
Should Hypersonic impress McEvoy in his second run, the $100,000 Lightning Stakes for two and three-year olds over 1050m at Morphettville on July 25 will be the next mission. But McEvoy said the youngster needed more experience to compete at a “good level”.
“He has to earn his stripes and get experience behind him,” he said. “For a horse just coming right now, the spring (carnival) will probably be a bit quick on him. If I can develop him he might run in a nice race at the back end of the spring or certainly in the autumn.”
TRACK TALK
MORPHETTVILLE PARKS
BEST OF THE BEST
ROGUES POINT (Race 3, No.3)
Went down narrowly last start at Ballarat as the red-hot favourite. Fitter for two runs from a spell and getting out to a more favourable distance.
HYPERSONIC (Race 7, No.9)
Could hardly have been more impressive at debut when won at Murray Bridge. Has taken time to get him to the track, but he is very talented and destined for bigger things.
THE EYE-CATCHER
LEFT HAND MAN (Race 6, No.8)
Just run down at Murray Bridge when resuming. Should go to the barrier fitter here and the Jon O’Connor stable has been going well, especially with Karl Zechner in the saddle.
THE TRAINER — RICHARD JOLLY
KALAMON (Race 1)
“Impressive last start winner. Going up in grade, but we think he is going well enough to be very competitive.”
KORODON (Race 4)
“Has been gradually getting fitter, was an improved run last start and ready to put it together.”
GRACEBIRD (Race 5)
“Good effort last start. This is a much harder race, but we don’t think she will be disgraced.”
DEXELATION (Race 6)
Backing up from last week and the extra distance will suit. Should run well.”
KAYSERI (Race 8)
“Good run last start. Appreciates the dry tracks and we expect another good run from him.”
SCOTTY SAYS
INSTANT CELEBRITY (Race 5, No.8)
Very impressive win at debut and stable has a high opinion of the filly. The Oaklands Plate is a tougher task, but she has enormous talent.
THE QUADDIE
First leg — 1, 8, 9
Second leg — 9
Third leg — 1, 2, 3, 4, 10, 12
Fourth leg — 1, 6, 10, 13