Stokesy Bowls Them Over At Last

Stokesy is a runner that has flattered in his track work, only to deceive his connections on the racecourse. But he finally got it right in a Work Riders Maiden Plate over 1700m at Turffontein on Thursday, leading from start to finish under the capable and experienced Chamu Mabaya.

Lucky Fish ambassador Mathew de Kock noted in his pre-race preview that Stokesy would be fitted with a tongue-tie to help him to run through to the line, and Chamu felt that gelding, and a more suitable distance, had also done the trick.

Chamu said that he planned to take some cover early in the race, but was forced to take up the running when Stokesy bounced out well from his inside draw. “I thought that the favourite, Royale Jacket, would set the pace, I was surprised that nobody wanted to go, so we had to do it. It was a good thing for my horse and he ran well all the way. I had to go to Plan B. They say you’re only recognised as a professional rider when you can use Plan B or Plan C,” he quipped.

Mat added: “Stokesy has been disappointing, but hopefully he gets some confidence from today. Chamu took the initiative, and I’m glad we could reward him for his hard work. Well done to Team Hollywood.”

Stokesy was named after a friend of the Heffer family named Josh Middlecote, who resides in the UK. Devin Heffer said: “Josh has done some work for our Bet Software company, and played some club cricket for our local club, Crusaders. He's a ginger, so the nickname Stokesy (after English cricketer Ben Stokes) was a suitable name. I also thought the name would suit this horse, as it's a fiery chestnut by Fire Away!”

As it happened, Devin relayed, Josh decided to stay out of the betting market this time after he’d backed Stokesy to win for three previous placed runs. You win some, lose some!