THREE FROM THREE FOR TERBIUM. CLIPPERTON'S FIRST WIN BACK. ANOTHER HANDY HORSE FOR MARKWELL

By Scott Gooley | Wednesday, February 13, 2019

PROMISING PAIR HAS STOKES PREPARING FOR THE FUTURE

Trainer Phillip Stokes saddled up short-priced favourite Terbium at Sandown today with one eye on the upcoming Zedative Stakes.

After the progressive colt recorded his third win from as many starts in impressive style, the Group 3 feature is now firmly in Stokes’ sight.

“He’s still learning so that’s why I’ve been careful with where I placed him.” Stokes said from the winner’s stall.
“It might be time to test him in something stronger, so we might have a look at the Zedative Stakes in ten days or so.”

It capped off what had already been a good day for Stokes with his debutant Really Discreet, scoring on debut at big odds ($21) in the second race on the card.
“She might have one more start and then we’ll turn her out,” Stokes said of the daughter of Helmet.

“She’ll be a nice 3yo and we’re already thinking of Oaks races with her.”

With her dam being Maybe Discreet, winner of the Schweppes Oaks (2000m) and the Edward Manifold Stakes (1600m) in 2013 among her five career victories, the Oaks path looks an obvious option.

CLIPPERTON LANDS FIRST METRO WINNER SINCE RETURN

Jockey Sam Clipperton today recorded his first metropolitan winner since his recent return from Hong Kong, piloting Safe Landing to victory for Trainer Kurt Goldman.

Having sat outside of the leader, Clipperton got everything out of Safe Landing when challenged by Hugh Bowman’s mount, Common Purpose.

“I’m rapt to get a winner for Kurt. We’ve been mates for a very long time. He was confident today when he gave me the (racing) colours.”

With the Autumn Carnival and feature races ahead of us, it was a timely reminder of the ability that the multiple Group 1 winning jockey, possesses.

The jockey and trainer team up again this weekend in the Southern Cross Stakes with Eckstein – one of eight rides on the day for Clipperton, highlighted by his mount in the G1 Apollo Stakes aboard Happy Clapper.

ARCHEDEMUS MARKED FOR BETTER THINGS BY TRAINER

Kembla Grange Trainer Gwenda Markwell has been involved with some handy horses over the years – Grand Zulu, Oscar Warrior, Rolling Pin… and in Archedemus, she thinks she may have unearthed another one.

“He reminds me a bit of horse like Al Be Nimble – a good horse I had about 10 years ago.” Markwell noted after Archedemus recorded third consecutive win at Warwick Farm today.

Scoring by a length and quarter, Markwell believes with the right conditions, there may be a race or two for the son of Lope De Vega.

“I’m just hoping we get a bit of rain during the autumn. I think with a bit of cut in the ground you’ll see an even better horse.”