Daqiansweet Junior sets sights on the Melbourne Cup 2023

Daqiansweet Junior has commenced his second Melbourne Cup campaign with a successful jumpout at Pakenham.

The New Zealand-bred six-year-old showed promising late speed during the 1000-meter jumpout, marking a rare appearance this year following his sole outing at Sandown in February.

Trainer Phillip Stokes expressed satisfaction with Daqiansweet Junior’s progress, particularly highlighting his breakthrough year in 2022 when he secured victories in the Adelaide Cup, placed third in the Sydney Cup, and finished with a remarkable sixth-place in the Melbourne Cup.

“We’re very happy with him at this early stage,” Stokes told Racing.com.

“He only got warm late and he’ll have another jumpout in two weeks and we’ll take it from there, but everything is on track.

“He’s an out-and-out stayer who made a very gallant first attempt on the Melbourne Cup last year and going in this spring as a six-year-old, he’s well placed to run well even at that elite level.”

While acknowledging the increased challenge due to higher ratings, Stokes maintains confidence in the talent and potential of this formidable racehorse.