Phillip Stokes has given Instant Celebrity the green light to return to the races after watching his Group 1 winner tune up with a sharp jumpout at Pakenham on Tuesday.
Jamie Kah partnered last year’s Robert Sangster Stakes winner, who led the 1000-metre trial and went to the line under a strong hold alongside the Mick Huglin-trained Lulu Darling.
The trial also featured Peter Moody’s Princess Rhaenys, who hasn’t been sighted since running fourth in last year’s G1 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) in Sydney.
Stokes said he’d been thrilled with the manner in which Instant Celebrity had returned to work following surgery to remove knee chips from both front legs.
“Jamie Kah came down to ride her,” Stokes said.
“We were really happy with her performance.
“Compared to how she was going into last year’s Robert Sangster, I think I’ve got her more forward.
“She’s coming off a knee operation on both knees, but she’s had a very good rehabilitation and she’s moving well.”
Stokes said Instant Celebrity could run first-up in the G3 R.N. Irwin Stakes (1100m) at Morphettville next month, en route to G1 targets later in the autumn.
A decision on whether the mare is retired to stud or races on for another season will be made after The Goodwood.
“She’ll start in the Irwin in Adelaide and that will set her up for a couple of Group 1 races,” he said.
“The Sangster and the Goodwood are her two aims, then we’ll assess her future.
“She’s going well and I’d love to think we can race on with her but if she tells us otherwise, she’ll go to the breeding barn.”
Copy: Racing.com
