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
Concord Connie eyes Victorian Group 1 success
Charlotte Littlefield, the Pakenham-based trainer, is opting against chasing substantial prize money in interstate races with Concord Connie, focusing instead on securing a Group 1 win within Victoria.The exciting mare, Concord Connie, has undergone four weeks of preparation and is being readied for her return, with the Group 1 Empire...
Midnight Dynamite's Path to the Big Dance After Rosehill Win
Connections of Midnight Dynamite are keen to see the horse contest a $3 million prize following his commanding performance in the Winter Challenge at Rosehill.Having added Saturday's stakes race to his triumph in last month's Listed Civic Stakes (1400m), the gelding is now slated for the Coffs Harbour Cup (1600m)...
Bold Soul's future may be over jumps after Flemington success
Connections have found Bold Soul, trained by Patrick Payne, to be a good earner on the flat, but his future might be better suited to hurdles.Bold Soul secured the Deane Lester Flemington Cup 1849 (2800m) at Flemington on Saturday, adding to his seven prior wins from 33 starts and boosting...
Sword Of Legacy's determined win follows Band Of Brothers' Ramornie success
Matthew Dunn's stable has enjoyed a prosperous week, capped by Sword Of Legacy's hard-fought victory at Rosehill. This triumph arrived just three days after Band Of Brothers, carrying the same lime, purple, and gold Hesket Thoroughbreds silks of David Moodie, captured the Ramornie Handicap at Grafton.Sword Of Legacy, sent out...
Ko Phangan claims Byerley Handicap at Flemington
The Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young stable continues its impressive run in qualifying races for Classic contenders with Ko Phangan's recent victory at Flemington.Ko Phangan's win in the Byerley Handicap (1800m) secures a coveted ballot exemption for either the Victoria Derby (2500m) or the VRC Oaks (2500m) during the Melbourne...
Joint Venture earns carnival ticket with Rosehill triumph
A late-developing two-year-old, Joint Venture, is now in contention for the initial three-year-old feature races after securing a crucial win at Rosehill.The impeccably bred son of I Am Invincible, a $625,000 yearling acquisition for the Newgate stallions syndicate, displayed significant progress from his debut second at Wyong, asserting his class...
Betwitchery ready to extend winning streak first-up
Betwitchery is set to extend her winning sequence as she makes her return to the racetrack at Flemington.The Leon and Troy Corstens and Will Larkin-trained mare is scheduled to begin her new racing campaign in the VRC Member Brendan Sobozynski Plate, a 1200-metre contest, this Saturday.Betwitchery, who has won five...
Littlefield targets Magnolia Cup after Flemington engagements
Trainer Charlotte Littlefield is scheduled to travel back to the UK in approximately a week to participate in a charity race at the renowned Glorious Goodwood Festival.The Magnolia Cup is a distinguished charity event this year supporting Education Above All. It aims to gather funds to ensure access to education,...
General Salute set for Winter Challenge under favourable wet conditions
The arrival of overnight rain has alleviated Sterling Alexiou's primary concern regarding General Salute's prospects in the final black-type race of the Sydney season, following his recent victory in the Winter Stakes.All four of the gelding's previous wins have been recorded on rain-affected tracks. Earlier in the week, with Rosehill...
Burning Heartz set for Adelaide Stakes test
Trainer Gavin Bedggood envisions a future for Burning Heartz in an Oaks race, but his immediate goal is to secure some valuable Stakes black type for the filly.Burning Heartz, a winner on debut at Sandown on July 1, is now heading to Adelaide to contest the Group 3 South Australian...