Trainer Phillip Stokes need not have questioned how Instant Celebrity had returned from a spring campaign after the filly blew her rivals away to claim her first Group 1 win at Morphettville.
In a rails hugging ride from Craig Williams, Instant Celebrity raced clear over the final stages to claim the TAB Classic (1200m) on Saturday.
Stokes held concerns the daughter of Not A Single Doubt was below her spring form that saw her successful in Group 2 Thousand Guineas Prelude at Caulfield.
Instant Celebrity went on to finish third in the Thousand Guineas (1600m) at Caulfield last October before Stokes set his eyes on Saturday’s contest.
But after Instant Celebrity finished fourth in the Redelva Stakes (1100m) at Morphettville on April 17, Stokes was concerned while his son Tommy, in charge of the Adelaide base, did not lose faith.
“That’s a great thrill, a great team effort,” Stokes said.
“Tommy and all the team here have done a fantastic job and Craig Williams, what a ride, he never went around a horse.”
Easy in the Sportsbet market, Instant Celebrity ($9) defeated Subpoenaed ($9.50) by a half-length with Rubisaki ($14) three-quarters-of-a-length away third.
Williams, who partnered Instant Celebrity in two outings in Melbourne last spring, said he had noticed a change in the filly when she presented in the mounting yard.
“The size she is, and she’s always had the ability, but it’s great for them to win a Group 1 at her sixth race start and it’s great for the Robertsons and all the other owners,” Williams said.
“I think the father-son Stokes combination and the owners have got great options with her.
“They were very soft with her in regard to placing her and they didn’t over-run her in the spring when there were suitable races for her as a three-year-old filly.
“I can see and feel the furnished product.
“She’s going to be an exciting horse for racing for years to come.”
