Fresh off a short but sweet first campaign with Phillip Stokes, Skippers Canyon is ready to resume at Caulfield this Saturday as he prepares for an assault on his new hometown Cup (Pakenham).
Given time to mature after quite a taxing first campaign as a 3yo, Skippers Canyon returned with a bang in metropolitan grade last time in. Settling last in a 1400m event at Sandown, the gelding closed in dominant fashion to win, which was made ultra encouraging by the fact he’ll be best suited at 2000m and beyond.
Skippers Canyon then backed up his first up win by finishing 2 nd in Saturday grade at Caulfield, closing off in very good fashion again. He then enjoyed 3 weeks off at Phillip’s Garfield property, with a plan hatched to target the Pakenham Cup.
The gelding has had two preparatory trials ahead of Saturday’s return, both at Pakenham. He’s returned with the same level of enthusiasm and seems well suited by the 1700m kick off point. Phillip Stokes recently told owners “He’s prepping up lovely; we can’t fault him.”
Skippers Canyon will require another run after Saturday, but the major goal is the 2500m Listed Pakenham Cup at Pakenham on December 13 ($300k). OTI tasted success with Attorney in 2020, and we’re sure the now locally based Stokes would like to do the same!
We wish his connections all the very best of luck for the preparation ahead.