Guineas Gunpowder Plot Revealed

A well-planned raid on another Victorian stakes race was perfectly executed at Caulfield on Saturday by Adelaide trainer Phillip Stokes and the South Australian filly Miss Gunpowder in the Group 2 Thousand Guineas Prelude (1400m). Taken straight to the lead from barrier 10 by Craig Williams, Miss Gunpowder (Pendragon) had plenty in hand, scoring by a length from Payroll with a further neck to Jameka in third place. South Australians collected a bag of big-race wins in Melbourne over the 2014 spring carnival with the state’s Cornerstone Stud establishing itself as the most successful breeding operation in the country with six wins during Melbourne Cup week. This time it was the turn of the NSW farm Think Big Stud to provide the winner who was presented in perfect order at Caulfield. Stokes now has the task of keeping her that way for the two weeks before her next assignment in the Group 1 Thousand Guineas (1600m). “We had her very fit and it’s a matter now of keeping her together for another two weeks,” Stokes said. “She should be suited by the 1600 metres – she has a pedigree that says she should – and we know she handles the track.” Miss Gunpowder was purchased by Stokes for $60,000 from the 2014 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale. Think Big Stud and its owner Dato Tan Chin Nam bought back into the filly and race with her with other of the trainers’ clients. She is third favourite for the Thousand Guineas behind two of Saturday’s beaten opponents, Stay With Me (pictured) and Pasadena Girl. The Group 3 Guineas Prelude went to Bon Aurum (Bon Hoffa) who benefitted from a copybook Kerrin McEvoy ride to score by a neck from Tulsa with long-time leader Bon Cielo third. Bon Aurum proceeds to the Guineas where he is on the fourth line of betting behind Press Statement.