Phillip Stokes’ unbeaten filly I Am Velvet still learning her manners ahead of Caulfield test

Unbeaten filly I Am Velvet has plenty of ability but there’s still a few bad habits to sort out as she heads to the city for the first time on Saturday.

I Am Velvet’s racing manners will be audited on Saturday at Caulfield in the VOBIS Gold Ingot (1400m).

The precocious filly, trained by Phillip Stokes, has the talent to feature in the spring should bad habits be ironed out.

Stokes has added a nearside bubble cheeker to help I Am Velvet run straight when required to quicken.

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

“She’s definitely got talent,” Stokes said.

“This will give us a bit more of an idea where we are and after this we might back off and go again.”

I Am Velvet trotted up last start at Pakenham Synthetic by three lengths, under a hold, but not before wanting to duck behind and lay in.

Once straightened and in the clear I Am Velvet coasted to an easy win.

Southside Racing trainers claimed SEVEN of the 10 races on the Sportsbet-Pakenham synthetic this afternoon! 🙌

🏆 HOLLYWOOD ACE for @GavinBedggood
🏆 MELIDESH for @lindsayparkrace
🏆 KIRK for @MoodyRacing
🏆 DISSELATION for @gregeurell
🏆 I AM VELVET for @pstokesracing
🏆 DIO… pic.twitter.com/1MIw88TzGf

— Southside Racing (@SthsideRacing) July 15, 2024

She almost tossed away a debut win at Pakenham, on rain-affected ground last January, with similar antics in the run to the post.

“She’s still doing a lot of things wrong,” Stokes said.

“We need to iron a few things out with her, like the hanging in and all that, but we’re going to go 1400m, small field, there’s only eight in it, I think that’s the right race.”

I Am Velvet, the half-sister of Stokes-trained Tobaysure, is a $3 second favourite with TAB from Lindsay Park-trained Dom ($2.70).

Champion jockey Blake Shinn, who rode I Am Velvet last start, has stuck with Dom on Saturday, having cruised to victory on the Pierro gelding on debut at Geelong.

Stokes also has Comanche Miss resuming in the 2YO Handicap (1200m) on Saturday.

Comanche Miss placed fourth in the Listed Redoute’s Choice Stakes on debut last March, 3¼ lengths behind the electric Bold Bastille, a multiple stakes’ winner with Group 1 ambitions in the spring.

“She got run off her feet that day and closed OK late,” Stokes said.

“Blinkers go on Comanche Miss, that’s really sharpened her up … really going to help her.”

I Am Velvet coasts to victory at Pakenham last start despite wanting to lay in badly in the straight. Picture: Scott Barbour/Racing Photos via Getty Images

Comanche Miss is $4.20 from Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman-trained Aldolfito ($5.50) and Waiting For Time ($7.50), prepared by Matt Laurie.

Meanwhile, Stokes elected to run Prinzerro, placed the past three starts, in a 3YO Handicap (1200m) despite an entry for the Group 3 Bletchingly Stakes (1200m).

Prinzerro placed third behind Right To Party and Marble Nine first-up at Flemington then finished runner-up to The Black Cloud.

The consistent Pierro gelding placed second to Right To Party last start at Flemington in the Listed Creswick Stakes (1200m).

“I’ve been down this path before, he’s a gelding, he’s won one race, if we run him in the Bletchingly we probably can’t beat the favourite (Recommendation),” Stokes said.

“He runs second and he goes up 10 rating points and then he will struggle.”

Prinzerro has been around the mark in all nine career starts to date, with a win and six placings.

His has been unplaced in two starts at Caulfield — the Group 3 Caulfield Guineas Prelude (1400m) and Listed Gothic Stakes (1200m) last spring.

Originally published as Phillip Stokes’ unbeaten filly I Am Velvet still learning her manners ahead of Caulfield test