Dual state horseman Phillip Stokes is unperturbed after Instant Celebrity drew wide in Saturday’s $1 million Group 1 Thousand Guineas (1600m) at Caulfield.
Instant Celebrity was replaced as favourite with tab.com.au by the Chris Waller-trained Hungry Heart, who has finished runner-up at her past three starts in Sydney, including last Saturday in the Group 1 Flight Stakes.
Hungry Heart drew perfectly in barrier two which saw her firm from $4.20 into $3.40 favourite, accounting for two thirds of the money invested in final field betting. Instant Celebrity is now a $3.60 chance from gate nine as she tries to extend her unbeaten sequence to five in the feature.
“That’s really where we wanted to draw,” Stokes said.
“We can put her where she’s comfortable.”
Stokes said the forecast of rain in Melbourne this week would be ideal for the filly after she produced a brilliant turn of foot on a wet surface in Adelaide first-up from a spell before getting through soft 6 conditions to win to win the Thousand Guineas Prelude at her Melbourne debut.
“There is rain forecast here (and) I’m not sure how the track will be playing but she handles it obviously,” Stokes said.
“We’re looking forward to it. She’s fantastic, she worked beautifully here this morning, pulled-up great and everything is in good order.”
Fellow South Australian Ecumenical is a $34 chance after drawing wide in barrier 13, with John Allen again in the saddle.
Stokes is poised for another massive day at Caulfield, with fellow SA-owned stablemate Highly Discreet running in the Group 3 Maroona Stakes (1200m).
The SA-bred filly created a big impression when she circled the field from the back to run second at Moonee Valley first-up from a break and Stokes said stepping up in class would help paint a picture to just where her spring target will be.
“She’ll take her place on Saturday, it’s obviously a harder race but her sectionals (at Moonee Valley) were great and she worked good this morning,” Stokes said.
“She’s there to run well again.
“You could dream and go to a Coolmore down the Flemington straight with her, but we’ll get through this run and see where she sits.”
Stokes also has Octane facing the biggest test of his career in the Group 2 Schillaci Stakes at Caulfield while Mr Quickie will tackle the Group 1 Toorak Handicap over a mile.
IMAGE: Pat Scala Racing Photos