Pakenham trainer Phillip Stokes is hoping Good Idea can go one better in his bid to win his local Cup.
Saturday’s Listed Pakenham Cup (2500m) will be the stayer’s second shot at winning the race after finishing runner-up to Smokin’ Romans last year.
Good Idea was heavily supported to win the race firming from $18 into $10 but fell two lengths short of stopping Smokin’ Romans.
The Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained Smokin’ Romans went on to claim Group 1 honours in the Turnbull Stakes (2000m) at Flemington during the spring before going on to finish seventh in both the Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup.
Good Idea is backing up after finishing third in the Listed Sandown Cup (3200m) at Caulfield last Saturday and Stokes said the 700m drop in journey was not ideal.
But the trainer said there was limited options for Good Idea.
“He backs up fine but it’s not ideal so far in trip,” Stokes said.
“I won’t be doing much with him during the week, so he’ll go into the race fit on Saturday.
“He ran second in the race last year and his best is good enough to win it, so we’ll see where we sit.”
Saturday’s placing in the Sandown Cup was the first glimpse of form Good Idea had shown this campaign.
Stokes said that was not unusual for the now eight-year-old.
“He can look like he’s going terrible then all-of-a-sudden he’ll jump out of the ground,” Stokes said.
“He’s found form at the right time, and I wish the trip was longer, but there’s not much around for him.
“He’ll have this and then probably have another tilt towards the Adelaide Cup and then we’ll reassess where he’s at after that.
“He’s done an amazing job and we’ve been really happy with him, but he at that stage of his career.”
