Written by Paul Vettise
Phillip Stokes has been a man on the move and he’s now reaping the rewards of his main training base at Pakenham, which is home to his exciting Magic Millions Adelaide 2YO Classic winner Done By Me (Bon Hoffa).
He opened his new Victorian operation in the spring to complement his Adelaide yard and it’s proved to be a masterstroke with a regular flow of winners.
Stokes has had Done By Me at Pakenham and the filly, off the back of a meritorious fifth in the G3 Chairman’s S. at Caulfield, doubled her winning tally by triumphing in Monday’s Morphettville juvenile feature after opening her account at Sale in January.
“We’ve got a state of the art stable at Pakenham with five different training tracks,” Stokes said. “They are great facilities and we’re really happy.
“We’ve got a state of the art stable at Pakenham with five different training tracks.” – Phillip Stokes.
“I thought the filly’s run in the Chairman’s was really good. She came from last and she had a lovely trial last Monday.”
Stokes said he was as bullish about her prospects as he could be and it wasn’t misplaced.
“She travelled over well and I was as confident as I could be with a 2-year-old.”
Done By Me settled back in the body of the field before she improved near the turn and then finished off to well for Li’l Kontra (Krupt), to relegate her to a fourth consecutive runner-up finish from as many starts.
“She travelled over well and I was as confident as I could be with a 2-year-old.” – Phillip Stokes.
Stokes said he never had any hesitation in handing the Magic Millions mount to apprentice Kayla Crowther.
“She’s ridden the horse well every time. She had a ride in a Group 2 at Caulfied on Saturday and gave it every chance. I had no hesitation in giving her the ride. I’m rapt to the (owners) the Dunns and the Bynes’, they have been great supporters of ours.”
Connections of Done By Me
“I’ve had terrific support and the experience of going to Pakenham has been invaluable.” – Kayla Crowther
It was a fitting reward for Crowther and she was naturally delighted to repay the confidence bestowed on her.
“I’ve had terrific support and the experience of going to Pakenham has been invaluable,” she said. “The filly has been looking for 1200 metres. It’s just what she wanted and she relished it.”
Done By Me was bought by Stokes out of Bowness Stud’s draft and is a daughter of Theregoessnowball, a half-sister to the dual Listed winner and G1 Canterbury Guineas runner-up Beaver (Bite The Bullet {USA}).
It is a family that numbers the successful stallion and G1 Golden Slipper S. winner Catbird (Danehill {USA}) within its ranks.
Done By Me pictured as a yearling
Rising staying star
The aptly-named Surprise Baby (NZ) (Shocking) crowned his rise through the grades with an emphatic performance to win the G2 TAB Adelaide Cup at just his sixth appearance under jockey Dean Yendall.
Trainer Paul Preusker can take a bow for his handling of the 4-year-old, who was making just his sixth appearance. He won his maiden over 1200 metres at Horsham in the spring and three subsequent victories followed before stepping up to Group company.
“He’s a horse that has been a bit difficult along the way, but he’s gifted enough to get away with it,” Preusker said. “He’s a tough horse with a sharp turn of foot. It’s been a big team effort and it was a beautiful ride by Dean.”
“He’s a tough horse with a sharp turn of foot. “ – Paul Preusker.
Surprise Baby was tucked away in the body of the field before Yendall urged the gelding along and the strode to the front 200 metres from home for a hollow win.
Top Of The Range (NZ) (Savabeel) was second ahead of Naval Warfare (Ire) (Born To Sea {Ire}).
“He’s one of the best trainers and I can’t thank him enough for his support,” Yendall said.
Surprise Baby pictured as a yearling
“This horse is still so young and still learning. We got a good run and he was never going to get beaten from 800. He’s very exciting.”
The stayer was bred by Rich Hill Stud, home of his sire Shocking who also sired last year’s Cup winner Fanatic (NZ).
Surprise Baby is out of Bula Baby (NZ) (Kaapstad {NZ}), who is a daughter of the G2 Sedgwick Classic winner Miss Tessla (NZ) (Crested Wave {USA}). The pedigree page also features the G3 Champagne S. winner and G1 Thousand Guineas placegetter Antarctic Miss (NZ) (Ustinov).
