Stokes confident in a good performance from Mileva this Saturday

Fresh from a courageous victory last start in the Sir John Monash Stakes, Phillip Stokes is confident in another good performance from Mileva in the Bletchingly Stakes at Caulfield on Saturday.

And if she does that, more riches could follow over spring.

The only query is if she can step up another 100m after saluting over 1100m with Daniel Moor aboard at the same venue also at Group 3 level on July 9.

Stokes has faith his four-year-old mare can do that, with Moor to ride her again.

“Hopefully an extra 100m doesn’t create a problem,” Stokes told horsebetting.com.au.

“She’s on a two-week back-up, she’s fit and she gets her chance to run well.

“It (winning the Sir John Monash Stakes) was gutsy and she took that little bit of a sit. Daniel’s had a ride on her now, so he knows her a bit better.”

Stokes said Saturday’s effort would determine how far Mileva – the $4.80 favourite with Palmerbet – can go in the coming months.

“Where her level lies – she’s a Listed Group 3 type of horse. But we’ll see how she goes on where she ends up over spring,” he said.

“So we’ll go there happy and we’re looking forward to a nice run. She’s always super competitive.

“It (if she runs well) gives us a few more options which we’ll weigh up. If she can’t run it out, we’ll have to bring her back and look at those shorter races at The Valley.”

Meanwhile, Stokes was delighted with Daqiansweet Junior’s jumpout win over 1000m at Moe on Monday.

This year’s Adelaide Cup winner is on a journey towards the Melbourne Cup.

“I’m very happy. His jumpout at Moe was super,” he said.

“He got beaten in a Benchmark 64 at Moe first-up and got beaten at Bendigo (both in October last year).

“Then he won the Adelaide Cup and ran third in the Sydney Cup in his first prep for us. He went super last prep and I couldn’t be happier with him.

“I’m very upbeat about him and fingers crossed.

“He’s on a Melbourne Cup path. He’s still got to qualify.

“If he gets there, fantastic. If not, we’ll find something else for him.”

Stokes also oversaw Good Idea’s trial over 1000m at Moe on Monday, last year’s Adelaide Cup winner finishing sixth from six runners.

“Good Idea is just having a short prep to keep him ticking over in the winter. He’s not good enough for the spring feature races,” he said.

“He’ll probably be aimed for the Pakenham Cup and Adelaide Cup next year.”

More horse racing news