Unlike many young men, Tommy Stokes can’t be accused of thinking he was ready before he is.
Stokes’ name appears in the racebook for the first time this weekend after entering into a training partnership with his father, dual-state horseman Phillip.
Stokes Snr has been at Tommy to step up for a few seasons, having been an integral part of the team since being promoted to the head of the Adelaide stable just before Covid hit, but it was only after a year at Pakenham that Stokes Jnr felt ready to take the step.
“Dad’s asked me probably the last three or four seasons, but I just felt like I needed to learn more about the business and needed to move over to Victoria before joining in a partnership,” he said.
“I made the move about 12 months ago to Pakenham and got a season under my belt there and really feel that I’m ready now.”
Tommy is a big chance to get his career off to the perfect start with his debut runner favourite.
The first of five runners at Morphettville Parks for Team Stokes is Street Legal, who is chasing an overdue win in the $50,000 PFD Food Services Maiden Plate (1250m) that kicks off the card.
Stokes is not taking anything for granted with the Exceedance gelding, who has six minor placings from seven starts.
He is yet to start longer than $7 and was last start beaten into third placing as a $1.65 favourite over 1000m on the Parks track at Morphettville.
“He’s obviously the class runner of the field, it’s just a case of him doing everything right and getting luck at the right point of the race,” Stokes said.
“The step up in trip does look ideal, especially with a low draw (barrier three). It all looks positive, so hopefully it plays out that way.”
Street Legal will be ridden by Noel Callow, who is starting afresh in South Australia following time on the sidelines after being found guilty of conduct detrimental to the interests of racing following a racist rant on video.
Callow will also be aboard Bold Secret, favourite for Race 8, in which the Stokes stable also has second elect Australia Forever.
The latter will be ridden by Will Price, who is also booked for emergency Lafont in Race 3, while Brooke King has the ride on Nicish, who is second favourite in Race 5.
Tommy’s first runner in Victoria will be Rebel Tuesday, who goes around in Race 2 at Flemington, while the team also has I Am Velvet engaged in Race 4.
