Adelaide trainer Phillip Stokes has a great strike rate when he ventures to Melbourne.
His past seven runners have produced five winners, including a memorable treble on the final day of the Melbourne Cup carnival and another winner at Moonee Valley on November 29.
Stokes returns on Saturday with Dylanson who contests the Comic Court Handicap (2000m).
“Hopefully I can keep it going but you’re only as good as your last winner,” Stokes said.
Dylanson goes to Flemington in great form and was one of three Stokes-trained winners at Morphettville on December 6.
Stokes said Dylanson had trained on nicely following that win over 1600m and believes the 2000m on Saturday is a perfect trip.
He also believes barrier one and the engagement of Luke Nolen points to a good showing.
Stokes said he would be guided by how Dylanson performed but said he would not stretch him out much beyond Saturday’s journey after he failed over 2500m in the Port Adelaide Cup in May.
“We tried to stretch him out once before but he didn’t run it out,” Stokes said.
“If he can measure up to that race tomorrow then he’d be OK to come back here and run in the lead-ups to the Adelaide Cup.
“We wouldn’t be looking at running him in the Cup, as that is too far, but some of the lead-ups may suit.”
Stokes is also looking to return to Melbourne in late January with a couple of two-year-old fillies.
He said debut Morphettville winner Invincible Jules was likely to have another run in Adelaide before coming to Melbourne for a Blue Diamond Preview at Sandown on January 26.
She could be joined by stablemate Comprende who ran home well to finish sixth in the Group Three Emirates Plate on debut at Flemington on November 4.
