Trainer Phillip Stokes was far from confident heading into the Group 1 Sangster with the favourite Instant Celebrity.
Speaking on RSN 927 this morning Stokes gave some pretty honest assessments on how his three-year-old filly is going ahead of her Group 1 test.
When asked if Instant Celebrity is going as well as she was in the Spring, Stokes gave a pretty honest assessment.
“No,” said a blunt Stokes.
“I think she’s going good but I’ve gotta see it again, if she comes out and blows them away well she’s back but we’ve got to see that on race day.
“I think she’ll run well, but is she absolutely flying?”
After failing to finish inside the placings for the first time in her career first up, Stokes offered up some reasoning for her below par run but expects her to bounce back tomorrow.
“We might’ve just ridden her out of her comfort zone and it might’ve taken the finish off her.”
“She’s had two nice pieces of work since the race and comes back down in the weights, she’s got to be a chance.”
“We’ll just put her where she is comfortable, probably a midfield position I would imagine.”
Stokes has an eye toward the Goodwood but admits the Spring is her next main aim.
“Not really, suppose we’ve got the Goodwood or she’ll just have a light prep and head for the Spring.”
Instant Celebrity is the current $6.50 favourite in a wide open Sangster. For a full market on the Group 1 Sangster click here.
