While Squillani is bound for more feature events over the upcoming Melbourne Spring Carnival, today Stokes was pinning his faith on the Kingston Mill mare Bold Reef.

With a blistering start Bold Reef went straight to the front for Jason "Grasshopper" Lyon and zoomed clear before being issued with a challenge shortly after straightening.

But after a few urgings from Lyon the mare, who was first up today, responded to hold out Cozarvy, while Golden Delicious’ sister Barossa Can Can was third.

Bold Reef carried the familiar white and green colours to victory, the same silks worn by Danny Nikolic on Saturday when he led throughout aboard Squillani.

A son of Shagny, Squillani will now be tested up against some of the country’s best after his hard fought effort at Flemington.

Squillani only made it into the field after a scratching prior to Saturday after the grey galloper was originally originally installed as the first emergency.

"We came over during the week not knowing we had a run," Stokes said of his successful hit-run trip to Melbourne. "Luckily we got a start and the rest is now history."

Stokes is renowned during his short training career as one of South Australia’s most astute trainers and he is one of the better placers of horses.

PICS - Quentin Lang.