Flying Krupt has given Phillip Stokes his first winner from a new training base at Pakenham with a fighting victory at Caulfield.
For the short-term Stokes is keeping his Adelaide base running but will gradually move his team to the new location.
Stokes has room for 40 horses on course at Pakenham while he has also bought a farm at nearby Garfield.
“That’s where she’ll be going now,” Stokes said.
“It’s great to have something like that so close and it will enable us to keep the horses in work longer.”
Ridden by Craig Williams, Flying Krupt was sent off the $3.20 favourite and scored by half a length from Lady Cromac ($7) with Remember The Name ($6) 3-1/4 lengths away third.
Stokes began to stock the Pakenham barn at the start of the month and currently has 10 horses in work.
He said last week’s announcement of funding cuts to the South Australian racing industry was something he had been fearful of and he had planned the move to Victoria.
“We’re racing for $100,000 here today and only $45,000 in Adelaide,” he said.
“It makes good sense to come over and give it a try.
“The horses are doing extremely well, loving the country environment and I’m loving it to.”
Stokes said he would not rush Flying Krupt into a higher grade.
“She’s really come of age,” he said.
“Craig had this idea of sitting outside the leader but that went out the window and thank God he went back because they obviously ran along a bit.
“I think she’ll get out to a mile but we’ll just place her right and try and pick up another win or two.”
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