Phillip Stokes looked at the hot company engaged at Flemington yesterday and thought that waiting an extra week with Climbing Star for the Caulfield meeting on Saturday would be a worthwhile move.
The Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes over 1400-metres is the next assignment for the mare who will be shooting for her second win at the highest level for 2024.
“It won’t be soft, but I thought it will be softer than the Champions Sprint,” Stokes said of the 1200m contest won by Sunshine In Paris.
Rated a $15 chance with betting sites for the Rupert Clark, the all-in market is headed by Jimmysstar who finished second in the Group 2 The Damien Oliver (1400m) last start at Flemington on Derby Day.
Jimmysstar was allocated a Racing and Sports rating of 115 for that performance while Climbing Star achieved the same score in winning the Group 1 Robert Sangster Stakes (1200m) at Morphettville in May.
Saturday’s competition may not quite be there compared with the Champions Day field, but the 1400m distance is another attraction.
“A couple of runs in, she gives me that feeling of the 1400-metres suiting,” Stokes added.
“I’ve been training her differently now, too, and keeping her fresher. We’re riding her a bit different as well.”
Third-up this preparation and at the same point as she was when winning the Sangster, Climbing Star had difficulty finding room last start when taking on top sprinting company in the rich Sydney Stakes (1200m) at Randwick, finishing ninth behind Overpass three weeks ago.
It will also be the five-year-old’s third start since being withdrawn from the Gold Coast National Broodmare Sale in May.
