Phillip Stokes has welcomed back two horses who he hopes will be leading lights for his team in the spring, with Goodwood placegetters Stretan Angel and Climbing Star back at his Pakenham base.
The talented duo most recently raced when they filled the minor placings behind Benedetta in mid-May and both are stepping up their workloads for their spring reappearances.
“They are both back in work and ready to do their first bits of evens,” Stokes said.
“Both are looking great and I am very happy with them.”
Stokes said G1 Sangster winner Climbing Star will be aimed at the $2 million Group 1 Manikato Stakes (1200m), which now comes up on September 27 at The Valley.
Stablemate Stretan Angel, who won the G2 Danehill last spring, will be targeted at the G2 Bobbie Lewis (1200m) on September 14 and the G2 Gilgai Stakes (1200m) on October 5.
In other stable news, rising 11-year-old and grand campaigner Amade will be aimed at the Pakenham and Geelong Cups in the spring, while at the other end of her racing career, two-year-old Stakes winner Femminile is being set for three-year-old staying events.
