Group One winner Hucklebuck will bypass the rich Sydney autumn having already shown Adelaide trainer Phillip Stokes he doesn’t like clockwise racing.
Instead he will have a light preparation with his main aim his hometown sprint feature, the Group One Goodwood (1200m) at Morphettville in May.
Hucklebuck
Following the Goodwood, Hucklebuck will again be set for races during the Melbourne spring.
The four-year-old was unbeaten in three spring starts this year, culminating in the Group One Emirates Stakes on November 8, his first victory over 1600 metres.
Stokes said Hucklebuck was enjoying a short break before coming back to the stable.
“I don’t want to send him to Sydney,” Stokes said.
“He didn’t go any good up in Brisbane that way of going, so I’ve ruled all that out and I’m just going to aim at the Goodwood here in May.
“With the set weights of the race he should get into it OK and then after that we’ll just aim him at Melbourne in the spring.”
Hucklebuck had two tries right-handed this year, finishing fourth over 1350m at Doomben before running sixth in the Group One Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) at Eagle Farm in June.
Stablemate Eclair Big Bang, who provided Stokes with the third leg of his winning treble at Flemington on Emirates Stakes day when successful over 1400m, headed to the spelling paddock on Friday following his return from Perth.
Eclair Big Bang finished 10th in the Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) at Ascot on November 22, his third attempt at Group One company.
Stokes said Eclair Big Bang was also likely to be kept in Adelaide for the carnival which kicks off in March.
“He looks to be a Group Three, Group Two type of horse and the Group Ones may be a bit beyond him,” Stokes said.
“The best thing I thought after his last run at 1400 metres was I can stretch him out a bit further which is pleasing.
“He can have a break and see where we end up.”
