Phillip Stokes plays down second-up specialist Arran Bay’s Golden Mile hopes

Arran Bay has outstanding second-up record but trainer Phillip Stokes is downplaying his chances in the Golden Mile at Bendigo on Saturday.

Trainer Phillip Stokes has tempered expectations on second-up specialist Arran Bay in the Golden Mile (1600m) at Bendigo on Saturday after a softer than desired return to the races.

Arran Bay drew wide in a 1200m Benchmark 96 at The Valley last start and could not be hustled out to make the most of a speed bias rain-affected surface.

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Arran Bay settled last and bowled along in what turned into a track gallop essentially.

While the consistent six-year-old boasts exceptional second-up stats, won four of six starts, Stokes warned Arran Bay has further improvement to come.

“We were pretty worried the way the track was playing and we just said look after him,” Stokes said.

“Second-up, up to the mile, he’ll run well, I still think he’s got a bit of progression.

“He’ll go to the (Group 3 Cummings Stakes) after this, but he’s an each-way (Golden Mile) player.

“He didn’t have a hard run at all (at The Valley), which is a bit frustrating but that was as bad a track as I’ve seen for a long time, which has been well documented.”

Phillip Stokes says Arran Bay still has improvement to come after Saturday’s Golden Mile at Bendigo. Picture: Vince Caligiuri/Getty Images

Arran Bay is $26 for the Golden Mile.

Smokin’ Princess and Enxuto opened equal $5.50 favourites but the latter drew poorly in barrier 16.

Stokes has four runners at Bendigo including Street Of Dreams in a 1300m Benchmark 84.

Ex-Singapore galloper Street Of Dreams was unplaced last Saturday at Caulfield but pulled up with a cardiac arrhythmia.

“I usually find when they have that (cardiac arrhythmia) they usually come out and win their next start,” Stokes said.

“He’s done well this week, he pulled up so well.”

Stokes has multiple stakes’ runners in Adelaide on Saturday including Climbing Star in the RN Irwin Stakes (1100m) and last-start Flemington winner Athanatos in the Port Adelaide Guineas (1800m).

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The astute Pakenham-based dual-state horseman was thrilled to get a result on Wednesday with the enigmatic I Am Velvet at Sandown.

The talented filly, now a four-time winner from seven starts, threw away a couple of races last spring with a tendency to hang in towards the rail.

I Am Velvet appreciated a cool Craig Williams ride on Wednesday to return a winner.

“She’s left a lot on the table but we’re off to a really good start,” Stokes said.

“We’ve had to fiddle with some head gear (ear muffs), Craig has come out and jumped her out a few times (came back and said) ‘what am I riding here, this is out of control’.”

“She’s off to a good start, so hopefully we can build on.”

Originally published as Phillip Stokes plays down second-up specialist Arran Bay’s Golden Mile hopes