Deakin on track for Caulfield Cup and 2025 Melbourne Cup

Deakin’s formline this spring might look modest at first glance, but trainer Phillip Stokes says the stayer is right where he needs to be for the bigger prizes ahead.

He resumes his ascent in Saturday’s Group 1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) at Flemington, a pivotal stepping stone toward both the Caulfield Cup and the Melbourne Cup.

Stokes has adjusted the preparation to fine-tune fitness—going so far as to squeeze in an extra jump-out to tighten the screws.

Crucially, Deakin already holds a Melbourne Cup ballot exemption courtesy of his March win in The Roy Higgins (2600m) at Flemington, taking the qualification pressure off this spring.

The initial roadmap targeted the Memsie Stakes (1400m) on August 30 and the Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) two weeks later, but connections opted for easier assignments on those dates—1400m at Caulfield and 1700m at Flemington—to build a stronger conditioning base.

Since then, Deakin has also won a 1200m Pakenham jump-out to keep him sharp.

“I felt he was doing too well so I had to screw him down a bit more,” Stokes said of the Pakenham jump-out.

“He trialled up nice and he’s thriving, but this is where we get serious now, these next two runs.”

Stokes expects the 2000m to be ideal at this stage of the campaign. He’s wary of the rivals but buoyed by the horse’s progression into the Caulfield Cup (2400m) on October 18 and the Melbourne Cup (3200m) on November 4.

“On his data from his first-up run to his second-up run he improved six lengths and to be competitive in the Caulfield Cup he needs to find another five lengths which I think we can do,” Stokes said.

“He’ll run well in the Caulfield Cup and then we’ll see if he can stay the two miles in the Melbourne Cup, but I couldn’t be happier.

“He’s dropping the bit now, he’s relaxing probably better than last prep in his gallops so I’m quietly confident he’ll be OK and stay the trip.”

Thinking of a flutter on the Turnbull Stakes? Check the best betting sites, trusted betting apps and top Australian bookmakers first.