Stokes to improve interstate strike rate

Friday 10 April 2015, 5:42pm

As Adelaide trainer Phillip Stokes gets Hucklebuck ready for a Group One target on his home track, a stablemate will be trying to improve the trainer's impressive Melbourne strike rate.

Couldn't Agreemore contests the 3AW Community Raceday Handicap (1000m) at Flemington on Saturday and victory will boost Stokes' strike-rate to 40 per cent in Victoria this season.

After Caro Kann's win at Caulfield last week, Stokes has seven winners from just 19 runners.

"We're coming over and sneaking under the radar again," Stokes said.

"We've been having a bit of luck and hopefully it can continue."

Couldn't Agreemore is the second favourite behind Sydney sprinter Ball Of Muscle.

Stokes had four winners during the Melbourne Cup carnival, a haul which included his biggest victory when Hucklebuck took out the Emirates Stakes.

Hucklebuck showed he is on track for his only autumn assignment, the Goodwood at Morphettville on May 16, with a soft 1000m trial win on Friday.

"He was never out of first gear," Stokes said.

"We weren't out there to win the trial by any big margin so we'll just do a bit of fine tuning between now and the Goodwood."

Stokes said he would like to give the gelding an exhibition gallop at Morphettville in the lead-up to the Goodwood.

– AAP

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