Phillip Stokes has not given up hope of winning another South Australian Trainers’ Premiership, but admits the task confronting him is tough.
With two meetings remaining in town for the season, Stokes trails the leader Michael Hickmott by four winners, but on a brighter note he trails the Tony and Calvin McEvoy by only two in the overall state-wide premiership race.
Stokes has four runners at Morphettville on Saturday having boosted his numbers in Adelaide by sending over three horses.
“We’re trying, but I reckon we’ll run out of time,” Stokes said.
“I’ve sent three over for this weekend, but they all drew terrible.
“What we might do is save a few for next week, but it’s going to be hard task.”
The Stokes stable has Our Shinko in the Wills and Daniel Maiden Plate, Mr Joobs in the Furphy Handicap, Brazen Boy in the G H Mumm Handicap and Royal Gun Salute in the Junction Handicap.
Stokes said it was not his intention to chase premiership victories, but being so close, with a small number of meetings remaining, it was worth having a crack at.
Having his main string in Melbourne, Stokes said he was proud of the Adelaide staff, headed by his son Tommy, for the job they have been able to achieve.
“It’s a credit to Tommy and the team over there that with the lesser number of horses over there that we’ve been able to be so close,” Stokes said.
Having been in his Victorian operation at Pakenham for nearing three years as well maintaining his stables at Morphettville in Adelaide, Stokes sits in fifth spot on the Australian Trainers’ Premiership with 146 winners for the season.
“It’s been a great season and I couldn’t be happier with how it’s shaped up,” Stokes said.
