Ancestry set to back-up in the Group 1 William Reid Stakes at The Valley

Pakenham-trained speedster Ancestry is set for a crack at the Group 1 William Reid Stakes (1200m) on Friday night instead of a trip to Sydney on Saturday.

Ancestry kept his unbeaten record at The Valley when cruising to victory in the Listed Abell Stakes (1200m) last Saturday and will be back at the same course six days later for the William Reid Stakes.

Ancestry’s trainer Phillip Stokes said the four-year-old came through what turned out to be a comfortable run in good order, suggesting the gelding will handle the short turnaround between races.

“He’s pulled up well, which is why we’re not scared to back him up,” Stokes said.

“He’s a pretty tough customer and he’s been eating everything, so from the outside he looks fine.”

Stokes also entered Ancestry for the Group 1 Galaxy (1100m) at Rosehill on Saturday but he ruled out a trip north.

“He definitely won’t go to Sydney,” Stokes said.

“The William Reid is our first option.”

Trainer Phillip Stokes says Ancestry has done well since his win at The Valley last Saturday. Picture: Getty ImagesSource:Getty Images

Stokes also entered the son of The Brothers War in the Listed Hareeba Stakes (1200m) at Mornington on Saturday, a race in which the sprinter would probably start a short-priced favourite.

However, the lure of the $500,000 William Reid Stakes at Ancestry’s favourite track was enough to sway connections to tackle the harder option.

“I would have thought the Mornington race would have been a lot easier but the horse does have a great record at The Valley,” Stokes said.

“If I’m happy with what I see in the William Reid, we’ll probably go there.”

TAB has Ancestry as an $8 chance in its latest William Reid Stakes betting behind the $6 equal favourites September Run and Masked Crusader.

Stokes said he had not worked out his next move with dual Group 1 winner Mr Quickie after his unplaced run in last Saturday’s All-Star Mile.

Mr Quickie struggled in the wet ground when 10th behind Mugatoo.

Stokes said next month’s Group 1 Doncaster Handicap (1600m) was an option for Mr Quickie but the possibility of wet ground would make the Randwick race a tough assignment for the five-year-old.

Originally published asStokes backs Ancestry to handle quick turnaround

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