Phillip Stokes jets into Birdsville on secret mission to surprise family ahead of Cup

Phillip Stokes says he may not get another opportunity to race a horse in the Birdsville Cup with his father Ron so decided to make a surprise return to his hometown.

Phillip Stokes jetted into Birdsville on Thursday on a secret mission to surprise his family ahead of the famous Cup meeting on Saturday as he and his father look to land a special win.

Going 30 years between visits to the town where he grew up, the Group 1-winning trainer made a special trip to see his father Ron, who is also looking to win the race with his only horse in training.

The Adelaide-based Ron Stokes took out his trainers license last year just to have a runner in the Birdsville Cup and has brought his only horse Trumpsta back for another shot on Saturday, while Phillip is looking to go back-to-back with Neodium.

“I haven’t been here for a long time, maybe 30 years, things have changed but the flies are still here,” Phillip Stokes said.

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“I surprised my parents and my boys, I got in on Thursday around lunch time and they were sleeping in a little donga out the back of where we are staying.

“(Club vice-president) Gary Brook organised a charter plane out of Brisbane which was very good of him.

“Dad was on the road for two days from Adelaide, I did it quite easy compared to him.

“He’s retired at Gawler, he comes down and helps in my stables at Morphettville a bit, which is good to keep him involved.”

Neodium is gunning for back-to-back Cups. Picture: Birdsville Races

Phillip Stokes grew up as an apprentice in the Birdsville region and thought last year’s race would be his only chance to race in the outback spectacular with his father.

When the opportunity came up again this year, he said he had to be there.

“I thought it will probably never happen again, both of us having a runner in the Birdsville Cup, so I wanted to make the most of it,” he said.

“He always wanted to have a runner in the Birdsville Cup, so he got his license out last year and had a crack and he is back again this time.”

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Neodium is a $3.50 favourite to go back-to-back, but Stokes said it is his father’s horse which is the danger after drawing barrier one.

“His horse has actually travelled up really well, I think he is a sneaky chance actually,” he said.

While he has saddled up seven Group 1 winners, including Climbing Star which won the Robert Sangster Stakes in April, Stokes said winning last year’s Birdsville Cup gave him a bigger thrill given his connection to the region.

Neodium is owned by David Brook, who is the president/chairman of the Birdsville Race Club.

Originally published as Phillip Stokes jets into Birdsville on secret mission to surprise family ahead of Cup