Apprenticeship served, Tommy Stokes teams up with dad in training partnership
Tommy Stokes believes patience has been the key to taking the next step in his racing career as he officially enters into a training partnership with his father, Phillip Stokes.
The Stokes name will appear in the race book as a training partnership for the first time this weekend, with Tommy confident the extra experience he has gained over the past year has prepared him for the challenge.
Phillip Stokes had encouraged his son to join him for several seasons, particularly after Tommy took charge of the stable’s Adelaide operation just before the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, Tommy felt he still had more to learn before taking on the responsibility.
“Dad’s asked me probably the last three or four seasons, but I just felt like I needed to learn more about the business and needed to move over to Victoria before joining in a partnership,” Stokes said.
“I made the move about 12 months ago to Pakenham and got a season under my belt there and really feel that I’m ready now.”
Tommy has an immediate opportunity to celebrate his first winner as a trainer when Street Legal lines up as favourite in the opening race at Morphettville Parks.
The Exceedance gelding will contest the $50,000 PFD Food Services Maiden Plate (1250m) after producing six minor placings from seven career starts.
Despite his consistency, Street Legal is still chasing his maiden victory after finishing third as a $1.65 favourite over 1000 metres at Morphettville Parks at his latest outing.
“He’s obviously the class runner of the field, it’s just a case of him doing everything right and getting luck at the right point of the race,” Stokes said.
“The step up in trip does look ideal, especially with a low draw (barrier three). It all looks positive, so hopefully it plays out that way.”
Street Legal will be partnered by Noel Callow, who is beginning a fresh chapter in South Australia after returning from a suspension.
Callow will also ride Bold Secret, the favourite in Race 8, where the Stokes stable will also be represented by Australia Forever, who will be ridden by Will Price.
Price has also been booked for emergency Lafont in Race 3, while Brooke King partners Nicish, the second favourite in Race 5.
The stable’s Victorian team will also be in action on Saturday, with Rebel Tuesday lining up in Race 2 at Flemington and I Am Velvet engaged in Race 4.
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