Melbourne Cup 2025 hopeful Deakin showing dash ahead of Spring return
While several OTI Racing horses are set to resume this week, the biggest interest surrounds Melbourne Cup hopeful Deakin, who will line up at the Pakenham jumpouts on Tuesday.
Prepared by Phillip Stokes, the French-bred stayer rose to prominence last preparation, capping his campaign with victory in the Listed Roy Higgins Quality. According to OTI boss Terry Henderson, his work this time in has only fuelled optimism.
“We’ve had to keep the brakes on him a little bit because he’s been doing so well,” Henderson said.
“He looks to have come back with a bit more speed, to be honest. He seems quite sharp.
“He might not even be a Melbourne Cup horse in reality. He might be more Caulfield Cup horse or a 2000-metre, 2400-metre horse.
“We’re just not quite sure where he fits in that mould yet but he’s very well and we’re really happy with him.”
Deakin’s second jumpout follows a quiet sixth at Caulfield over 800m on July 30. His spring kick-off is set for the $1 million Group 1 Memsie Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on August 30, before progressing to the Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m).
Already entered for the $5 million Caulfield Cup (2400m), he is joined in nominations by Group 1 New Zealand Derby placegetter Golden Century, who resumes in a 1500m race at Hawkesbury on Tuesday.
OTI will also debut an exciting newcomer this Sunday at Sale in the form of Shamus Award colt Cinturato, trained by Mark Walker. The Cox Plate (2040m) entrant has already turned heads, winning a Cranbourne jumpout last week by a dominant eight lengths.
More Racing News
Michael Freedman seals brilliant day with Cinsault's stakes success
Michael Freedman's bold "Hail Mary" gamble succeeded when his peak-condition mare Cinsault claimed stakes company for the first time in the Millie Fox Stakes (1300m) held at Rosehill Gardens this Saturday.Owned by Godolphin, Cinsault had previously notched three wins from four summer starts in lesser company prior to Freedman entering...
Oakleigh Plate victory makes Sam Freedman's 30th birthday special via Tropicus
Tropicus gave trainer Sam Freedman a memorable Group 1 present on his 30th birthday.This four-year-old Too Darn Hot gelding claimed his debut top-flight win by powering clear of competitors in the $750,000 Oakleigh Plate (1100m) held at Caulfield on Saturday.Freedman and his father Anthony, co-trainers, had Tropicus as their secondary...
Ninja lands Hobartville Stakes after tough Magic Millions run
Putting the agony of an unfortunate defeat in the Magic Millions Guineas behind him, Ninja has notched up wins against prominent foes to capture the Group Two Hobartville Stakes at Rosehill.In his last start at the Gold Coast, the colt raced wide due to his outside gate but battled gamely,...
Streisand triumphs in Caulfield's Blue Diamond Stakes
Clinton McDonald has reclaimed his status as 'King of the Kids' for the second time in three years, courtesy of Streisand's victory in Victoria's leading two-year-old event at Caulfield.The trainer took the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) two years back with the tragic Hayasugi, and it was again a...
Ambitious plans ahead for Piggyback following Rosehill success
Consistent long-distance runner Piggyback has positioned herself for a potential Group One weight-for-age challenge during autumn after a dominant performance in the Parramatta Cup at Rosehill.Assistant trainer Johann Gerard-Dubord to Ciaron Maher indicated various paths forward for the five-year-old mare, among them the Tancred Stakes (2400m) at Rosehill come March...
Futurity Stakes delivers Pericles breakthrough Group 1 success
The resilient gelding Pericles shed his Group 1 maiden status by grabbing a well-deserved top-level victory in the $750,000 Futurity Stakes on Saturday at Caulfield.Six heartbreaking placings at the highest grade—including a runner-up effort in the Futurity Stakes two seasons prior—were put behind him as the Street Boss six-year-old saluted...
Dominant Silver Slipper win catapults Stretan Ruler towards Golden Slipper
Phillip Stokes, the Pakenham trainer, admitted to getting disoriented at Rosehill Gardens, yet his exceptional colt Stretan Ruler navigated straight to an authoritative triumph in Saturday's Group 2 $300,000 Silver Slipper (1100m).Stretan Ruler demanded respect by blistering around the 1100m in 1:03.64s, finishing 3-1/2 lengths clear of Sydney's leading juveniles."I...
Buckaroo welcomes Jye McNeil for Futurity Stakes return
Cox Plate placegetter Buckaroo will have jockey Jye McNeil back on board for his opening outing of the autumn series at Caulfield.The gelding heads into the Group 1 Futurity Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on Saturday, piloted by McNeil.In the gelding's tally of 31 career starts, McNeil has only been aboard...
Walker team warming to Geegees Mistruth ahead of Caulfield feature
Mark Walker's Cranbourne stable has developed an increasing fondness for Geegees Mistruth the longer she has been in their care.The four-year-old, bred in Tasmania, transferred to the Walker outfit last spring following preparation by Stuart Gandy.With six successes in 15 races, Geegees Mistruth remains without a mainland triumph, but hopes...
Berry confident in Ninja's Hobartville Stakes bid
Premier jockey Tommy Berry reckons a Queensland summer campaign has reshaped the previously unruly Ninja, placing his trust in the gelding to match the top three-year-olds at Rosehill.During his Queensland stint, Ninja raced three times, claiming victory in the Vo Rogue Plate (1300m) at Eagle Farm and battling from a...