Classic test for lightly raced Miroku

Trainer Phillip Stokes will test Miroku as a possible Derby hope in the Caulfield Classic ( 2000m).

Caulfield Guineas hopes for Miroku failed to materialise but the colt gets the chance to make a spring impression in the Group Three Caulfield Classic.

The Phillip Stokes-trained Miroku impressed on debut to win a maiden on the Ballarat synthetic track in early September before finishing unplaced in his next two starts at Geelong and Flemington.

Miroku notched the second win of his campaign as a short-priced favourite over 1500m at Mornington at his most recent start and will now be tried at stakes level for the first time in Saturday’s Caulfield Classic for three-year-olds.

It will also be the colt’s first try over 2000m and he has barrier one in the field of nine.

“He gives the indication he will run it,” Stokes said.

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“He has got a good barrier and he’s a last-start winner, so we’ll see. But I think he’ll be OK.

“We thought he was going to be a Guineas horse but that didn’t work out. We went to a softer option and got a win back on the board.

“He’s by Shooting To Win and he’s a big striding colt. I think if he relaxes he can run it out.”

Miroku holds a nomination for the Group One Victoria Derby (2500m) at Flemington on November 2 which Stokes said they would consider if he ran well on Saturday.

The only filly in the race, the Danny O’Brien-trained Miami Bound, was the $2.70 favourite on Friday with Miroku at $17.