Caulfield shot first-up for Hucklebuck

Hucklebuck will kick off his spring campaign earlier than expected in a stakes race at Caulfield.

Adelaide trainer Phillip Stokes will bring him to Melbourne for Saturday’s Listed Testa Rossa Stakes (1200m) rather than wait to start him off in the Schillaci Stakes on October 8.

Stokes changed his mind after Hucklebuck won a Morphettville 1000m trial on September 2, running half-a-second quicker than any other heat.

“I was going to run him first-up in the Schillaci but I was that happy with his trial that we’ll bring him over to run at Caulfield and then he’ll go to the Schillaci,” Stokes said.

“He hasn’t won for a while but Saturday’s race should be a good one to start him off in.”

Hucklebuck was one of the Melbourne Cup week stars in 2014 when he won over 1400m on the first Saturday before capturing the Group One Emirates Stakes seven days later.

The six-year-old has raced five times since, filling a place on one occasion when third in the C F Orr Stakes at Caulfield earlier this year.

Stokes said he would like to try Hucklebuck on the straight course at Flemington during Melbourne Cup week.

He said the gelding’s form would determine whether that was in Group Two company at Flemington on October 29 or the Group One Darley Classic on the final day with the option of heading to Sandown on November 12.

“After the Schillaci we can work out where to go,” Stokes said.

“I’ve always wanted to try him down the straight at Flemington.

“Maybe we can go a bit lesser depending on his form – the Group Two on Derby Day and maybe then to the Kevin Heffernan at Sandown.”

Hucklebuck’s regular rider Dom Tourneur will take the ride on Saturday.

The meeting also features the Naturalism Stakes, the winner of which gains automatic entry into next month’s Caulfield Cup.

Singapore-based Glen Boss will return to partner Tom Melbourne in the 2000m race.