Patrick Ryan will lift the bar with his underrated mare Stokke after her impressive victory under lights at The Valley last Friday night.
Stokke ($3.40) defeated Trembles by three-quarters of a length in the $60,000 benchmark 74 over 1000 metres. 
The Warrnambool trainer said the Group 3 Kirin Ichiban Sprint (1100m) at Flemington on Victoria Derby day was on the cards for the lightly raced five-year-old.
“She deserves a crack at a group race,” Ryan said. “She’s an honest mare. I’m confident she can measure up.”
From 11 starts, Stokke has won five races and collected $147,100. 
Generation next
The name Lafferty has been synonymous with Warrnambool horse racing for decades and the tradition will continue with Harry Lafferty obtaining his trainers licence.
Lafferty, 27, is the grandson of late local legend Kevin and son of current Warrnambool trainer Peter.
“It’s a thrill to get my trainer’s licence,” he said. “I just love being involved. I’m honoured and proud to be able to train in my own right. 
“I’ve been very lucky to have received great support from my parents (Peter and Sharon) and my siblings. I’ve helped Dad for a couple of years and the time’s right for me to have a crack in my own right. 
“I’ll have a couple of horses in work at on-course stables at Warrnambool. I’ll be there early in the mornings and late in the afternoons but will continue to work full time. 
“Training horses is something I’ve always wanted to do. 
“Apart from Dad, I’ve also been lucky to have worked with respected trainers like Ciaron Maher, David Eustace, Lindsey Smith and Aaron Purcell.”
Lafferty’s twin sister, jockey Laura, is continuing her rehab from serious internal injuries, including a collapsed lung, lacerated liver and spleen, as well as severe concussion, suffered in a race fall at Ballarat on October 3 last year. 
“It’s been a long and slow recovery for Laura,” Harry said. 
“We knew it was going to take time. She’s tough and doing a great job. She’s been lucky to have received wonderful support from her medical team, family and friends.”
Gone too soon
Deepest sympathy to the family and friends of Warren Huntly following his death last Sunday aged just 63. The owner, clocker and media man was a great supporter of the Warrnambool May carnival across his decades in racing.