Adelaide trainer Phillip Stokes will set a Melbourne stakes target for Couldn’t Agreemore after his first-up success at Flemington.
Couldn’t Agreemore’s impressive fresh record prompted Stokes to bring the gelding to Flemington for Saturday’s Dean Palmby & Scott Millson Handicap (1000m) and the sprinter did his part with a one-length win.
Couldn’t Agreemore, Dom Tourneur
“He goes very well first-up so we thought we’d kick him off here and he’s done the job for us,” Stokes said.
Couldn’t Agreemore was placed in stakes company at his only other run at Flemington, which convinced punters to back him from $4.20 into $3.80.
Jockey Dom Tourneur executed the stable’s race plan perfectly to have Couldn’t Agreemore tucked in behind the obvious leader Fab Fevola before the winner sprinted clear at the 250m.
Stokes said he would freshen Couldn’t Agreemore before the sprinter returned to Melbourne for stronger races during the spring.
“He was well placed here today but I’d like to think he’s a Listed or Group Three sort of horse,” Stokes said.
“I reckon he’d be a really good Caulfield horse so we’d look at something there maybe.”
The Hawkes Racing-trained Laohu raced on the outer section of the course before working home well for second, a length ahead of the Chris Waller-trained Kristy Lee.
Splash Of Moet firmed from $4 to start a $3.60 favourite but could only manage fourth after settling midfield.
Splash of Moet’s rider Ben Melham told stewards the mare would be better suited on softer ground than the good track presented at Flemington.
