Minor alteration to program for Deakin

Phillip Stokes has adjusted Deakin’s spring campaign kick-off, with the stayer to avoid the star-studded Group 1 Memsie Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield in favour of the Sportsbet Feed Handicap (1400m) on the same program.

Originally pencilled in to resume in the Memsie, Deakin will instead line up in the benchmark 100 event before progressing to his main spring targets, including the Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes, Group 1 Turnbull Stakes and Group 1 Caulfield Cup, with the ultimate aim being the Group 1 Melbourne Cup on November 4.

“I didn’t realise there was a benchmark 100 over the same trip on the same day,” Stokes said.

“I doubt he could win either race, so the benchmark 100 is an easier race, so we’ll kick him off in that and he’ll get just as much benefit from it.

“I didn’t think he needed a real high-pressure 1400-metre race to start off in, so we’ll switch to that and then revert to our original plan.

“Everything is all good, and we don’t have to pay a fortune to accept.”

Deakin’s ballot exemption into the Melbourne Cup is already secured courtesy of his victory in The Roy Higgins (2600m) earlier this year.

While Stokes admits wet conditions aren’t ideal, he expects Deakin to be hitting the line late regardless.

“He’s better on top of the ground,” Stokes said.

“His first trial (this campaign) was on the wet and he didn’t really like it, but I couldn’t be happier with the way the horse is going.

“His work on Tuesday was very sharp.”

Punters looking ahead to Deakin’s spring run towards the Melbourne Cup can find futures markets and offers at Australia’s leading betting sites.