Valley return for filly Really Discreet

Trainer Phillip Stokes hopes Really Discreet who runs at The Valley, can go as far as an Oaks.

Phillip Stokes won an Oaks with Maybe Discreet and the trainer has similar hopes for one of the mare’s daughters who begins her spring campaign over a sprint distance at The Valley.

Really Discreet runs first-up in Saturday’s Palentino – Outstanding 1st Crop Yearlings Plate (1200m) which shapes as an interesting clash between a number of up-and-coming three-year-old fillies who have shown promise.

Stokes won the 2013 Australasian Oaks (2000m) in Adelaide with Maybe Discreet and is looking to stretch Really Discreet out in distance this campaign, with the possibility of getting her to the VRC Oaks.

Really Discreet, who is by Helmet, won over 1300m at Sandown on debut in February before finishing fourth in the Group Two VRC Sires’ Produce Stakes over 1400m at Flemington and third in the Mornington Sires (1500m) before a spell.

Really Discreet has the outside draw of the 11 remaining in the field and Stokes believes the filly is likely to have to settle back but he hopes to see her finish strongly.

Her opposition includes VRC Sires’ Produce Stakes winner La Tene, Group One Champagne Stakes placegetter Lady Lupino, impressive last-start Valley winner Taraayef and the unbeaten Kooweerup and Meuse.

“She has drawn a sticky barrier,” Stokes said.

“I’m hoping to get her up in trip so we’ll ride her conservatively and let her finish off.

“Then she will go to a 1400-metre Listed race and onwards from there.

“Her last preparation was really good and I can’t wait to get her to a mile plus.”

Maybe Discreet won the Group Two Edward Manifold Stakes (1600m) during her spring campaign as a three-year-old and that is a race Stokes has in mind for Really Discreet.

Really Discreet’s four-year-old half-sister Secretly Discreet, winner of one of her nine starts, also runs on Saturday in the TAB Handicap (1100m) at Morphettville.

“That will be her final run before she goes to stud,” Stokes said.

“She had a lot of issues as a young horse so you’ve never really seen the best of her. But she looks well-suited on Saturday.”