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
Extragalactic's Flemington mission in McEwen Stakes
While many in the racing world will lament the closure of the old Moonee Valley track, trainer Trent Edmonds isn't lamenting the timing of its renovation.This Saturday marks the first Cox Plate meeting to be held away from 'The Valley', and Edmonds is set to be at Flemington with Extragalactic,...
Blind Raise's faith rewarded with Cox Plate start
Trent Busuttin is aware that if the primary goal was to secure a Group 1 victory, the more prudent strategy would be to send Blind Raise to Sydney for this Saturday's Spring Champion Stakes.Nevertheless, he also recognises that the type of opportunity that has arisen this year is not a...
Caulfield Cup fall victim Half Yours is back home and doing well
Good news has emerged regarding the riders involved in the Caulfield Cup, with the Victorian Jockeys Association reporting both have been discharged from hospital.Mark Zahra and Jye McNeil were transported to the Alfred Hospital after a dramatic fall during the Caulfield Cup on Saturday.The sequence of events saw Half Yours,...
Mr Brightside's Flemington Mile participation uncertain
The Lindsay Park training outfit, comprising Ben, Will, and J D Hayes, will hold off on confirming Mr Brightside's start at Flemington until the acceptance stage.Mr Brightside is expected to be nominated for the Group 2 Kia Ora Stud Mile (1600m) this Saturday, though Ben Hayes indicated he is only...
Warwoven's Cox Plate Prospects to be Decided by King's Ride
Melbourne's racing scene is abuzz as Sydney jockey Rachel King prepares to reunite with Warwoven for a crucial track gallop. This workout is designed to give the final go-ahead for the Bjorn Baker-trained colt's potential entry into the esteemed Cox Plate at Flemington.King, who celebrated a Caulfield Guineas victory aboard...
Infancy's The Invitation prospects while in foal
Dual stakes winner Infancy is eagerly awaiting a potential start in the $2 million The Invitation at Randwick, a race that could significantly boost her career accolades before she transitions to her role as a broodmare.The six-year-old mare has recently been served by the promising young sire Anamoe. Her trainer,...
Tempted claims The Everest crown in thrilling renewal
The tenth running of The Everest delivered a familiar outcome at the top but with a new champion crowned, as Tempted outdueled Ka Ying Rising before a record-breaking crowd of 52,110.For trainer Ciaron Maher, this victory represents his second success in The Everest, building on Bella Nipotina's triumph in 2024....
Autumn Glow's flawless Sydney spring culminates in King Charles triumph
Autumn Glow smoothly assumed the lead in the prestigious Group 1 $5 million King Charles III Stakes (1600m) as the field turned for home, just as Ceolwulf began to mount a challenge.Trainer Chris Waller reportedly turned to jockey Darren Beadman and inquired, "Are we in trouble?" Beadman's swift reply was,...
Gavin Bedggood celebrates biggest win as Kingswood triumphs in Caulfield Cup
Trainer Gavin Bedggood has achieved his career-defining success with Kingswood winning the Caulfield Cup.The Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) on Saturday was claimed by the UK-bred import Kingswood, marking Bedggood's most significant achievement, eclipsing his previous best in the 2024 Moir Stakes at Moonee Valley.Bedggood, who was a proficient jumps...
Apocalyptic finds her best form in the Silver Eagle
While it was a supporting event on The Everest undercard, Apocalyptic's triumphant return to the winner's circle on Saturday was a considerable achievement for trainer Michael Freedman and jockey Tommy Berry.The mare, a Group 1 victor of last year's Flight Stakes, had been underperforming in the autumn and her initial...