Molto Bene to Myer Classic via Caulfield

Friday 18 October 2013, 4:58pm

A slashing last-to-first win at Flemington has forced trainer Phillip Stokes to raise his sights and target the Myer Classic with Molto Bene.

The mare takes her next step towards that Group One target in Saturday's Tristarc Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield.

But Stokes isn't convinced Caulfield is the mare's best track.

He still expects Molto Bene to run well from a wide gate in Saturday's Group Two race but believes she will be better suited back at Flemington in the Myer (1600m) in two weeks.

Molto Bene came from last at the 200m to win the Listed Tavern Stakes (1410m) at Flemington on October 5.

"She went super and has come on since then," Stokes said.

"I don't think Caulfield is her track but she'll run well and continue to progress to the Myer Classic. That's her goal."

Molto Bene has barrier 19 on Saturday which features a host of quality mares including Group One winner Red Tracer, talented galloper Peron and last-start Group Two winner Fire Up Fifi.

"Barrier 19 won't worry her because her racing pattern is to come back and go wide anyway," Stokes said.

Stokes also has three-year-old Hucklebuck lining up at Caulfield in the Listed Gothic Stakes (1400m) on the back of a luckless last-start third at Moonee Valley.

The winner of the Moonee Valley race was Lion Of Belfort who has since won the $250,000 Blue Sapphire Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield.

"The form out of the race is good and if he had got the run the winner had he would have made things very interesting," Stokes said.

"He's a really progressive horse. This is his first preparation and he's really come a long way," Stokes said.

– AAP

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