Trainer Phillip Stokes had initially planned to replicate the successful path that led Climbing Star to Group 1 triumph in the Sangster Stakes last year.

In her 2023 preparation, Climbing Star kicked off with a win in the Listed Matrice Stakes (1200m) at Morphettville before going on to place in the Group 3 R N Irwin Stakes (1100m). Two weeks later, she returned to Morphettville to win the Sangster Stakes (1200m), providing Adelaide jockey Lachlan Neindorf with his first Group 1 success.

While the Matrice Stakes was meant to be her launching point once again this year, a minor delay in her campaign meant Climbing Star will head straight to the Irwin Stakes on Saturday, which will serve as her lone lead-up before attempting to defend her Sangster title on April 26.

Following the Sangster, the next target will be The Goodwood—another 1200m Group 1 sprint at Morphettville—where she placed third last year.

A jump-out win at Pakenham on March 25 gave Stokes confidence that Climbing Star was back in top shape after an uncharacteristic spring, which included three unplaced efforts, two at Group 1 level.

“She jumped out really well,” Stokes said.

“We had a little setback early in the campaign. Last year she was third-up into the Sangster, this year she will be second-up.

“We were going to do the exact same thing as last year, but we just got a couple of weeks behind where we wanted to be.

“It’s a bit of a tricky barrier, but I’m sure she’ll run well and then she’ll go straight to the Sangster.”

Climbing Star has drawn barrier 10 of 11 for Saturday’s race.

Stokes noted that the mare has historically performed better during the autumn and hopes to wrap up her racing career on a winning note before heading to the Gold Coast for the broodmare sale in May.

“She’ll be sold after this campaign in the May broodmare sale on the Gold Coast and she should be well sought after,” Stokes said.