Jockey Jye Mcneil says Stakes is his own worst enemy despite his victory at Caulfield Heath.
Stakes, successful on debut at Bendigo last month, took out The Valley @ Caulfield Handicap (1200m) on Saturday, his second success from three starts.
Supporting blinkers for the first time, Stakes ($4.40) scored by a short head from the $3.70 favourite Commit with Put To The Sword ($14) a long neck away third.
In between his maiden win at Bendigo and his win on Saturday, Stakes finished third over 1100m at Caulfield on July 25.
“I think they made all the difference,” McNeil said of the blinkers on Stakes.
“The other day he didn’t participate in the race in the early stages and that put him out of contention.
“Today, he jumped a lot better with the blinkers on, plus we were up 100 metres in distance. We had cover for the first part and then we were stuck in a position three-wide outside the speed.
“He’s still so backward. He lays on the other horses, he was wayward in the straight and I had to go back to hands and heels in the straight to get the best out of him.
“The finished product is probably still a prep away, but he’s got the ability there.”
Stakes is prepared by the Lindsay Park team of Ben, Will and J D Hayes.
J D Hayes said Saturday’s victory was tough.
“He’s a horse that has always improved,” Hayes said.
“He had the ultimate gear change as a younger horse and was always one that was going to develop into a lovely three-year-old type.
“Having that fitness under his belt, that told late and it came to the fore there late.”
Hayes said he was looking forward to seeing how Stakes pulls up before the team sits down to see where they head next.
“That had a bit more credit to it as he was exposed from a long way out and he’s still not doing things 100 per cent,” Hayes said.
“He’s a horse with a fair bit of improvement and I’m looking forward to seeing how he pulls up.”
