Nineteen three-year-olds have been included in nominations for Saturday’s Group 3 Chairman’s Stakes (2020m) at Morphettville Racecourse, highlighted by the pending appearance of a number of exciting Adelaide Autumn Carnival prospects.

Phillip Stokes is poised to saddle Colonel Custer in Saturday’s Chairman’s Stakes at Morphettville. Photo: Adrienne Bicknell

Colonel Custer has posted a number of good results for leading South Australian trainer Phillip Stokes and will relish a step-up to 2020m in the 2016 Chairman’s Stakes.

Capping a strong 2015 campaign a credible sixth in the Group 1 Victoria Derby (2500m), Colonel Custer resumed this time for success in the Schweppes Handicap (1250m), the Savabeel colt was unlucky to be blocked for a run when eighth in the Fraar BM64 (1550m) on March 12^th.

Having responded well for second in a Morphettville minor over 1550m on April 2^nd, Colonel Custer suffered minor respiratory issues during the running of the Listed Port Adelaide Guineas (1800m) a fortnight ago but has reportedly overcome the ailment.

Darren Weir has experienced plenty of success with Howard Be Thy Name this time and has included the classy stayer in 2016 Chairman’s Stakes nominations.

Yet to finish outside the first three through nine career starts so far, Howard Be Thy Name posted a maiden race win in the Porter Plant Maiden Plate (1600m) on January 27^th before finishing a close second to Jerilderee Letter in the Listed Tasmanian Derby (2200m) on February 5^th.

Returning to winning form in the Racing.com BM70 (1600m) on March 31^st, the son of Redoute’s Choice posted his first black type win in the Port Adelaide Guineas last time.

David Hayes and Tom Dabernig are poised to launch a two-pronged attack on the three-year-old feature after including both Concubine and Fair Isle in 2016 Chairman’s Stakes nominations.

Having started her career under the guidance of Gai Waterhouse, Concubine returned this time for third in the Only A Little Bit Over Maiden (1200m) before posting her maiden win in the XXXX Gold Plate (1400m) at Pakenham on March 31^st.

Making a competitive transition to black type company when sixth in the Listed Laelia Stakes (1600m) on April 9^th, the Redoute’s Choice filly finished mid-pack in last weekend’s Group 3 Auraria Stakes (1800m).

Fair Isle resumed for second in the Slickpix Maiden Plate (1400m) on March 17^th; progressing to fourth in the Unox Maiden Plate (1500m) before winning the Select One Catering Maiden Plate (1624m) on April 15^th.

The 2016 Chairman’s Stakes field will be released following the conclusion of a barrier draw on Wednesday.

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2016 Chairman’s Stakes Nominations