Returning to racing in competitive form over the spring racing season this year, trainer Phillip Stokes has revealed talented gelding Éclair Big Bang will be set for a campaign through black type events in his native South Australia upon returning to racing in 2015.
Eclair Big Bang has reportedly taken well to his time in the spelling paddock. Photo: Race Horse Photos Australia
Securing a credible five wins and two minor places over just 12 competitive appearances on course so far, Éclair Big Bang jogged home to win the Jacobs Creek Handicap (1100m) first-up on September 28th; placing a close third in the Listed ITalkTravel Stakes (1200m) on October 15th before returning to the winner’s circle in the Emirates Airline Handicap (1400m), earning a trip west for the Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes (1200m).
While unable to match the late pace of Magnifisio and placing a disappointing 10th, Stokes was pleased with the overall preparation of the son of Savabeel, revealing he will remain in the paddock for several weeks yet before a return to light-work and the early stages of preparations for a tilt at events through the Adelaide carnival.
“He’s come back from Perth and I’ll probably leave him out until mid-January, the end of January or something like that,” Stokes told Racing Ahead.
“He probably showed me in his run prior to Perth he’s starting to become a bit more adaptable and might be able to get over a bit further, so that might open up a few doors.
“There’s plenty of nice races for him over the carnival here.”
A standout performer for Stokes over the 2013 edition of the Spring Racing Carnival, Éclair Big Bang won a minor over 1000m first-up; progressing to a strong third in the Group 2 Danehill Stakes (1200m) and victory in the Group 3 Caulfield Guineas Prelude (1400m), but was unable to make an impact when losing a plate and failing to beat a single runner home in the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas (1600m) on October 12th; returning to the paddock after placing eighth in the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m).
Returning for just two starts over the 2014 Adelaide Carnival, the gelding out of Ennerdale placed fourth in each of the Listed Redelva Open (1050m) and Group 2 Euclase Stakes (1200m).
