Daqiansweet Junior on 2023 Melbourne Cup trail
Phillip Stokes is using the Herbert Power Stakes at Caulfield in a bid to gain a Melbourne Cup start for Daqiansweet Junior.
Trainer Phillip Stokes is taking a different approach 12 months on in his bid to have Daqiansweet Junior peaking for the Melbourne Cup.
Stokes elected to bypass The Bart Cummings (2520m) at Flemington last week in favour of the Group 2 Herbert Power Stakes (2400m) at Caulfield on Saturday.
Success in The Bart Cummings would have secured Daqiansweet Junior a ballot exemption into the Melbourne Cup, but Stokes is banking on attrition and the potential of a penalty, if successful on Saturday, in rising up the Melbourne Cup ballot order.
Daqiansweet Junior currently sits number 30 in the Melbourne Cup Order of Entry while he also remains in the Caulfield Cup, but at number 27 will need to win on Saturday to gain a ballot exemption if he is to take his place.
“He’s still got to earn his way to the Melbourne Cup,” Stokes said.
“So, we’re hoping for a bit of attrition, or if we can win on Saturday and get a bit of a penalty.”
Stokes said he doubts Daqiansweet Junior would back-up in the Caulfield Cup on Saturday week if successful on Saturday, but the option remains open.
Daqiansweet Junior ran sixth in last year’s Melbourne Cup carrying 53kg and drops to 51.5kg this year.
Stokes said in bypassing The Bart Cummings, he felt Saturday’s Herbert Power and the three-and-a-half weeks into the Melbourne will work better for the stayer.
“He had been off the scene for a while leading into this campaign,” Stokes said.
“Last time, he had a lot of residual fitness all the way through from the Adelaide Cup and Sydney Cup, so I just thought the three-and-a-bit weeks into the Melbourne Cup 2023 this year would be better.
“The horse is going great.
“He’s still got a nice turn of foot in him, but he just needs to get up to his right trip.”
With Daniel Stackhouse, who has ridden the stayer in his past two starts in the Heatherlie Stakes and Naturalism Stakes at Caulfield heading to Sydney to ride Benedetta in The Silver Eagle at Randwick, Blake Shinn takes the ride on Saturday
“We won’t lose anything there,” Stokes said.
Online betting sites in Australia have Daqiansweet Junior as a $101 chance in Melbourne Cup odds.
More Racing News
War Machine to target the 2026 Australia Stakes
Top-class sprinter War Machine will resume in the Group 2 Australia Stakes (1200m) at Pakenham on Friday night as connections eye a strong autumn campaign. The race, traditionally held at Moonee Valley, has been moved due to redevelopment works and shapes as an ideal launchpad for the Lindsay Park galloper. War Machine...
2026 Golden Slipper Stakes favourite Incognito nearing return to the races
The absence of Incognito from the Magic Millions 2YO Classic did little to dent his standing in Golden Slipper markets, with the colt edging closer to a raceday return. Michael Freedman elected to sidestep the Gold Coast feature with the $1 million purchase, instead opting for a controlled trial as the...
Antino to target 2026 Queen Elizabeth Stakes in the Autumn
A strong trial session at Deagon on Tuesday will be highlighted by the return of Antino as Tony Gollan begins plotting another autumn campaign for the talented gelding. Antino has not raced since his disappointing effort in the Group 1 Cox Plate, where he finished last after failing to fire on...
Torque To Be Sure breaks maiden in 2026 Magic Millions Guineas, survives protest
Torque To Be Sure finally lived up to his promise with a breakthrough victory in the $3 million Magic Millions 3yo Guineas, though his success came with a nervous wait in the stewards’ room. The Matthew Dunn-trained gelding drifted under pressure in the closing stages, bumping race favourite Ninja as the...
Future History too strong in the 2026 January Cup
Future History showed his class and toughness when landing the $200,000 Listed January Cup at Rosehill, giving Ciaron Maher another feature race success. The eight-year-old almost didn’t take his place in the race after heavy rain downgraded the track, but connections elected to press on despite concerns about the conditions. Ridden positively...
Big Sky surges into 2026 Blue Diamond Stakes calculations
Big Sky’s dominant debut at Flemington has propelled him straight into calculations for the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m), giving Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr the top two runners in early betting. The Bivouac colt overcame a wide draw in the TAB We’re On (1000m), travelling strongly under Jordan...
Golden Slipper Stakes 2026 plans for Godolphin’s Outspan
The Godolphin-trained Outspan has thrust himself into Golden Slipper calculations after a commanding win at Rosehill on Saturday. After settling just behind the speed in the 1100m contest, the Michael Freedman-trained colt finished strongly to defeat Long Throw ($15) by 1-1/2 lengths, with Miss Chanel ($4.60) another half-length back. The performance marked...
Mile no issue for Merrigold in 2026 Vobis Gold Distaff
Trainer John Sadler admitted a touch of stubbornness delayed Merrigold’s step up to 1600 metres, but the mare made him look wise with a dominant Flemington victory. The five-year-old was having her first start beyond 1400 metres and handled the rise in distance with ease when taking out the Vobis Gold...
Unit Five powers home in the 2026 Magic Millions Classic
Unit Five announced himself as a rising star with a powerful victory in the $3 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic, overcoming far more seasoned rivals despite limited race experience. The Ciaron Maher-trained colt, ridden confidently by Thomas Stockdale, held off Tornado Valley by a length, with By Choice finishing just behind...
Tony Gollan’s two-year-old Itching To Go in 2026 Magic Millions Classic
Tony Gollan is leaning on a proven strategy as Itchintogo lines up on a seven-day backup in the Magic Millions 2yo Classic (1200m) this Saturday. The approach has delivered strong results historically, with six winners of the $3 million race following the same path over the past 15 years. Purchased for $60,000...