Trainer Phillip Stokes chases second country cup in seven days with Taramansour in Bendigo Cup
After causing a $31 boilover in the Geelong Cup, trainer Phillip Stokes is confident he can pull off another double figure sting in the Bendigo Cup.
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Trainer Phillip Stokes has sights set on a second country cup upset in seven days.
Stokes – who won the Geelong Cup last Wednesday with veteran stayer Amade in a $31 boilover – has Taramansour, a recent acquisition to the stable, set for the Group 3 Bendigo Cup (2400m).
Taramansour placed in the 2021 Bendigo Cup, when trained by Matt Cumani.
Stokes has only prepared the seven-year-old gelding for three races for a pair of Benchmark wins at Sandown.
Taramansour raced fresh last start at Caulfield, fifth in a Benchmark 78, and tired out of contention.
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“I’m happy with him, he’s been racing well, his last start was a bit of a forgive (run),” Stokes said.
“He hadn’t raced for four weeks and raced a bit fresh, it all came unstuck, he’s got a good barrier and he raced in this race two years ago and ran third … I’m thinking he can run well.”
Taramansour is rated a $15 chance with TAB behind Interpretation ($3.60), Suizuro ($6), Hezashocka ($6.50), Luncies ($8), Pesto ($9) and Brayden Star ($13).
Stokes galloped Taramansour on Tuesday to help the gelding settle better in the 2400m feature.
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“We trained him a little bit differently, kept him fresh for 1800m-2000m (races), when they step up to 2400m that’s got to be a query,” Stokes said.
“On previous form you’d say he’s OK at it but that’s the only query I’ve got in my head, but having said that, he’s drawn barrier one and will get the right run.”
Interpretation and Hasta La War ($34) must win the Bendigo Cup and earn a weight penalty to sneak into the Melbourne Cup.
Amade, a 10-year-old gelding, pulled up well from the Geelong Cup and will be aimed at the Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2600m) at Flemington on November 11.
Originally published as Trainer Phillip Stokes chases second country cup in seven days with Taramansour in Bendigo Cup
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