Stokes adds more numbers to Melbourne base

Premier Adelaide trainer Phillip Stokes is adding numbers to his spring satellite stable in Melbourne.

Stokes will have up to five runners spread over two meetings in Melbourne this weekend.

Debut Morphettville winner Cappadocia runs at Caulfield on Saturday in the Blue Star Group Plate while scratchings will determine whether Model Dragon gets a start in the dreamthoroughbreds.com.au Handicap.

Stokes has already withdrawn Miss Gunpowder from Caulfield to run in the Blazer Stakes at Flemington on Sunday when Serenely Discreet runs in the Edward Manifold Stakes and Captain Duffy in the UCI Stakes.

Stokes has sent Cappadocia to Melbourne to test the waters after her Morphettville win on September 14 when she had to overcome more than her opposition.

“She got halfway down the straight and it looked like she ran in four horses, but it was the wind that blew her in,” Stokes said.

“The wind literally turned her sideways.”

Stokes is hopeful Model Dragon sneaks into her race although he has a back-up plan in a race at Bendigo next week.

Unbeaten in two starts at Morphettville in May, Model Dragon was taken to Melbourne to escape Adelaide’s wet weather.

“I decided to throw her on the truck and get her over to Melbourne and see if we can find something to place her in, get her started off and see where she ends up,” Stokes said.

“I think she’s a mare that has some talent. She trialled nicely at Balaklava and she hasn’t done much wrong.”

Stokes decided to run Miss Gunpowder at Flemington instead of Caulfield after studying the field, believing it to be an even race.

He wants to give the mare experience at Flemington in the hope it may lead to more starts at the track later in the spring.

Stokes believes Serenely Discreet was unlucky at Caulfield at her last start but her cause on Sunday hasn’t been helped by barrier 15.

“Not much is going right with her,” he said.

“She’s got talent but didn’t get a chance to show it the other day.”

Sunday is shaping as D-day for Victoria Derby aspirant Captain Duffy with Stokes saying he needs to step up or be shipped back to Adelaide.