Trainer Phillip Stokes on Sydney Cup enigma Amade – ‘If he jumps, he’ll be in the finish’

Will he or won’t he jump, that is the question Phillip Stokes faces ahead of Saturday’s $2m Group 1 Sydney Cup with quirky and enigmatic stayer Amade, equal third favourite for the 3200m feature.

Amade arrived in time to win the Geelong Cup last spring. Picture: Scott Barbour/Racing Photos via Getty Images

Phillip Stokes could do with a blindfold he previously used on Sydney Cup contender Amade to calm how own pre-race barrier anxiety.

Pakenham-trained Amade, an $8 equal third favourite with TAB for the 3200m Group 1 on Saturday, has blown near certain victories the past two starts at The Valley and Adelaide.

Amade stood flat-footed and missed the start by five lengths in the Listed Torney Night Cup two starts ago only to savage the line and run third.

History repeated last start in a stunning Adelaide Cup horse and rider performance, Amade missed the kick by five again and galloped into fourth under a helpless jockey Zac Spain.

Spain showed remarkable skill and determination to stay aboard and navigate the enigmatic stayer after his stirrup strap broke passing the winning post the first time in the 3200m event.

It's more than just racing!

Come behind the scenes with us as connections of 2024 @tabcomau Adelaide Cup winner Excelleration come to terms with winning the $350,000 Group 2 race. pic.twitter.com/OEsJQBk28X

— Morphettville Racecourse (@SAJockeyClub) March 12, 2024

Stokes has taken off a barrier blindfold used on Amade to help the quirky stayer start better.

“He’s thrown away a lot of money in his career but when he’s on song he can run a race, he’s given me the right indication,” Stokes said.

“We put a blindfold on him and that worked for a while then he got back into old habits, so I’ve taken the blindfold off thinking ‘we’ll surprise you again’.

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“He’s one of those quirky horses, he’ll either do it, or he won’t, not much you can do about it.

“He’s a funny horse, we’ve had him pull up midway through a gallop and not want to go.”

With regular rider Spain unable to make 51.5kg weight, Caulfield Cup-winner Michael Dee has been booked to pilot Amade on Saturday at Randwick.

Amade galloped the Sydney clockwise direction last Saturday at Pakenham to prepare for a return to the Harbour City.

He finished 12th in the Sydney Cup last year, but has returned in the “right mindset” and form to figure in the finish – should he start properly.

AMADE WINS THE GEELONG CUP 🏆

What a thrill to see the old boy storm home through the middle and take out the win @GeelongRaceClub and continues our success story in the race!

A great ride from @lil_spaino96 , congratulations to @pstokesracing and all of his connections! ✨ pic.twitter.com/CZrxY7dlEp

— OTI Racing (@OTIRacing) October 25, 2023

“We never have a game plan,” Stokes laughed.

“If he jumps he’ll be in the finish, he’s a very well-credentialed horse overseas, having won a Belmont Gold Cup (2019) and that, even though he’s an 10-year-old, he doesn’t know that.”

Stokes saddled third-placed Daqiansweet Junior in the 2022 Sydney Cup.

“This horse on his day is better than Daqiansweet Junior, but DJ is a lot more tractable and consistent,” Stokes said.

Chris Waller-trained More Felons is a $4.50 favourite for the Sydney Cup from Ciaron Maher stablemates Ashrun ($6) and Circle Of Fire ($6).

Post Impressionist, raced by seven-time Melbourne Cup-winning owner Lloyd Williams, and last start Group 1 Tancred Stakes-winner Kalapour are $8 apiece in TAB’s all-in market.

Amade and Ashrun finished first and second respectively in the Geelong Cup last spring.

Ashrun, who trained on to run fourth in the Melbourne Cup, has won the Pakenham Cup since and placed third in the Tancred.

Tancred runner-up More Felons finished fifth and seventh respectively in the Geelong-Melbourne Cups last spring and resumed in February with victory in the Listed Parramatta Cup.

Stokes toasted a double at Caulfield last Saturday with Oracle Son and Regal Azmon victorious in respective races.

Originally published as Trainer Phillip Stokes on Sydney Cup enigma Amade – ‘If he jumps, he’ll be in the finish’