12 July 2023 , 09:11
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Four days after England won the third Ashes Test there could be more reason for the cricket team to celebrate, this time on the race track.
On Thursday Stokes, a racehorse named after the England captain Ben Stokes, will make his debut at Cambridge in New Zealand. He is owned by Brendon McCullum, the team’s Kiwi coach who is a horse racing fanatic.
The three-year-old gelding was also bred by McCullum and trainer Kurtis Pertab is hopeful of a winning debut. “Hopefully we can get a win for him, it is a bit of pressure for a maidener,” Pertab told LoveRacing NZ.
The trials have been positive with Stokes winning his last two, form which his trainer hopes he can bring to his first official race.
“He has trained on well from his trials, I couldn’t be happier with him,” he said. “It will just come down to raceday experience and whether he is sharp enough against raceday pressure.
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“His trials have been good, so he should go alright.”
Ben Stokes was born in Christchurdh, New Zealand where he lived until his family moved to England when he was aged 12. England are 2-1 down in the Ashes Series with the next match due to start at Old Trafford in seven days’ time.
McCullum and Stokes' Bazball approach has come under scrutiny in the Ashes so far with England losing the first two Tests before claiming victory at Headingley last time out.
Speaking after the win, Stokes said: "It went down to the wire again but it is nice to get over the line and keep our hopes alive. The break comes at a good time. At 2-1, the next match is vital for both teams."