Image: Bruno Cannatelli
Stable friends Daqiansweet Junior and Lyrical Lad are scoring hat-tricks in the same race at Caulfield
Race programming forced Phillip Stokes to run steady buddies Daqiansweet Junior and Lyrical Lad in the same race at Caulfield as the pair won a hat-trick.
Daqiansweet Junior and Lyrical Lad meet in Take it to Neds . level Handicap (2000m) on Sunday, an unfortunate clash for two horses in form.
“Both are very beautiful horses and it is a pity that they have to race against each other,” said Stokes.
After making his first race in New Zealand with Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman, Daqiansweet Junior joins Stokes to kick off his current campaign starting at Moe in October.
After again starting at Bendigo over 1600m in October, Daqiansweet Junior broke out to claim their first Australian win at Pakenham on the 1600m on November 25 before stepping up to the 2040m at The Valley on December 10 to scored another close victory.
Stokes hopes at some stage Daqiansweet Junior will develop into a Cup contender, but at this stage let him race through his points.
“He is a lovely horse and has improved tremendously after that win at The Valley,” said Stokes.
“We will continue to book him at the moment, but he could become a Cups horse in time and the Mornington Cup could be something to consider if his form warrants that. .”
Lyrical Lad is a four-time winner from nine starts and a revelation for Stokes.
He scored five goals on heavy ground at Cranbourne before winning by one at Pakenham on 4 December in his most recent game.
Sunday’s outing will be Lyrical Lad’s first run at the 2000m.
“We might as well find out now,” says Stokes.
“He has gone a few miles and is very strong. His pedigree says yes, but until we see him do it, we don’t know.
“The horse couldn’t have been any better. He’s been running on good tracks, heavyweight 10th and he’s going to be super. ”
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