Stakes bound calling repaying price tag

Éclair Calling, a son of Tartan Bearer that created a buzz when selling as a yearling for a record $525,000 at the New Zealand Bloodstock Select Sale, has won his fourth race when successful over 1400m at Caulfield on Sunday. 

Raced by Thomas Li, the Phillip Stokes-trained gelding is set to step up to stakes grade when he contests the Listed Weekend Hussler Stakes (1400m) over the same course and distance in a fortnight. 

“He got around Caulfield a lot better than previous starts,” Stokes said. 

“We were lucky enough to get on the course proper when he worked well here on Tuesday and we see the result now. 

“He is doing really well and I will probably look at running him in the Weekend Hussler in two weeks’ time.

“I think he can progress to be a Group Three horse.”

Winning rider Chris Caserta made good use of his 2kg claim and came with a perfectly timed run to comfortably hold Ocean Park four-year-old Tezlah.

“He drew a good gate and had a beautiful run,” Caserta said. 

“When I asked him to go, he doesn’t have a short, sharp sprint, but he just keeps building and grinding and full credit to Phillip Stokes and his team.”