Top SA trainer to open Victorian base in 2018

Brad Waters - Wednesday September 20

Leading South Australian trainer Phillip Stokes expects to have a new Victorian facility at Pakenham up and running next year.

Advertisement
Phillip Stokes has taken steps towards setting up a Victorian base at Pakenham. Photo: Darryl Sherer

Stokes has won 22 stakes races with raiders from his Morphettville base in recent years but the trainer has secured a parcel of land at the Pakenham racing centre.

"I've bought a block at Pakenham because I think it's a place that will really go ahead," Stokes said.

"I want the best facilities to train my horses on and they are putting in another training track there and I think next year it is going to be a really good training centre."

Stokes said he expects to have stables in place in 2018 and the Pakenham yard will start as a satellite stable before he weighs up whether to expand the Victorian operation in the future.

Stokes said he initially wanted a metropolitan base but was happy to set up his latest Victoria base at Pakenham.

"I'd ideally like to train at Caulfield but they are not letting any new trainers go in there," Stokes said.

"That's why I bought this block at Pakenham and then I'll own it and I look forward to developing it.

"I'm hoping to build a barn there next year and hopefully I'll have 10 there full-time."

Advertisment
More Reading...
Sires With Winners - Friday May 30
Here is the full list of 41 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
The Secret is Out!
He has big shoes to fill as a half-brother to a $12million earner, but there is no secret about his ability! 
Bright Future for El Roca 3YO
Owner-trainer-breeder Kylie Little believes she might have a promising stayer on her hands with Eagle Rock, who left maiden ranks with an emphatic performance in Saturday’s Matt Edwards-Lime Group Mile (1600m) at Te Rapa.
Inglis Internship applications open
An opportunity to work with Australia’s most progressive thoroughbred auction house has become available through the renowned Inglis Internship program.
New Classic Prospect and New Aussie 2YO Winner for Wootton Bassett
The Group III JRA Derby Trial (2000m) at Baden Baden in Germany overnight produced a new stakes-winner for Wootton Bassett (GB) with lightly raced colt Juwelier staking a claim for classic success.
Cool Aza Beel Strikes Again
Proven Te Akau Racing filly Cool Aza Rene put her quality on display when prevailing in a competitive Nellies Restaurant and Bar 2YO (820m) at Wingatui on Sunday.
Familiar Faces Win $100,000 Jumps Features at Sandown
Jumps racing took centre stage at Sandown on Sunday with some familiar colours and faces winning both the $100,000 Australian Steeplechase (3900m) and the $100,000 Australian Hurdle (3900m).
French Derby Winner for Wootton Bassett
The versatility of Wootton Bassett (GB) was on show overnight in France where the Coolmore shuttler had first and third in the Group I Prix du Jockey Club (2100m) at Chantilly with Camille Pissarro claiming victory for Coolmore.
Research on Equliume Light Mask
Don’t take our word for granted ….. Research on the Equilume Light mask for the pregnant mare and foal
Lightly Raced Stayer Wins Sandown Cup
The $175,000 Listed MRC Sandown Cup (3200m) on Sunday featured some battle hardened  old stayers, but it was the young kind on the block that got the prize with four year-old Tavistock gelding Diwali scoring his first stakes win.