Deakin's path to spring mirrors tactics via Stokes
Phillip Stokes plans to mirror a highly effective approach from Lindsay Park as he sends Deakin to Adelaide ahead of an imminent Stakes contest.
Deakin's opening winter start comes in the Group 3 The Cummings Stakes (1600m) on May 9, one of two planned runs that Stokes believes will prime the gelding for spring action.
The Bart Cummings, once the R A Lee Stakes, was a traditional opener for imported stayers under Colin Hayes and his son David before their spring break.
Likewise, David Hall from Hong Kong and Lloyd Williams have leveraged this race to ready Melbourne Cup prospects.
Since placing eighth in the previous Caulfield Cup, Deakin has been sidelined by Racing Victoria's vet checks preventing a Melbourne Cup bid.
Last Thursday, the gelding trialled over 1500m at Caulfield Heath, tuning up for his return in a fortnight before tackling the Listed Lord Mayor's Cup (2000m) at Rosehill on May 30.
"He's been away six months and an operation to put screws in his fetlocks," Stokes said.
"That was his second jump-out and he'll go to Adelaide on the ninth of May and go around in the Bart Cummings over a mile which will be a good starting point for him.
"It will only be a two-run prep and then he'll head up to Sydney to run in the Lord Mayor's Cup and then he'll have a little break and get him ready for the spring.
"All things being equal and if we're happy with him, we'll put him on a Caulfield Cup path once again, not Melbourne Cup."
The trainer aims to avoid repeating last year's clash with Racing Victoria's protocols over a potential Melbourne Cup entry for Deakin.
"They said he had some changes in his fetlocks," Stokes said.
"We couldn't get a reaction out of him, but that's what they said, so we had to follow protocol, and we've done everything they told us to do, but it set us back a long way.
"They told us to put screws in him and when international horses want to come here with screws in them, they're not allowed to run.
"My vet and I didn't agree with them, and we thought he was going better than ever.
"I had a horse, Daqiansweet Junior, and he wasn't sound, but he was OK to run.
"He ran well in the Caulfield Cup last year and didn't have a great run in it, but I'm not convinced he's a two-miler anyway."
Post-Sydney, Deakin will enjoy paddock time with minimal work, according to Stokes.
"I didn't want him having almost a year off, it takes them too long to come back," Stokes said.
"I remember Jeune ran in this race, Beldale Ball, Water Boatman and when I first started training, Lloyd Williams used to bring his horses over, give them one run, and then start again.
"It's a nice track to give him his start for his spring campaign."
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