Deakin gears up for Caulfield Cup start
Deakin is poised to launch his Caulfield Cup campaign with his initial outing at Caulfield this Saturday.
With the Melbourne Cup now out of contention for the French-bred stayer, trainer Phillip and Tommy Stokes are singularly focused on Deakin's preparation.
The Listed Heatherlie Stakes (1700m) on Saturday marks the beginning, leading into the Group 3 Naturalism Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield on September 19, and subsequently the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) at Flemington on October 3.
The Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) on October 17 is the intended spring target for Deakin, who finished eighth in the same race last year.
However, following last year's Caulfield Cup, Phillip Stokes had plans for an assault on the Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington, but the gelding was deemed ineligible under Racing Victoria's veterinary protocols.
Determined to avoid a similar situation, the Caulfield Cup is now the exclusive objective.
Deakin has only raced once since last year's Caulfield Cup, coming home fifth in the Bart Cummings (1600m) at Morphettville in May.
This was part of a calculated strategy, involving a lighter autumn campaign to ensure the gelding is in prime form for spring. The Stokes father-son training partnership was pleased with the gelding's most recent trial, finishing third at Caulfield Heath on August 19.
"He had his second trial at Caulfield last week," Phillip Stokes commented.
"He hasn't raced since the Bart Cummings Stakes in Adelaide, and we pulled up after that, so it's nearly been a year off, but I'm feeling he's going as well as ever.
"Last prep, first-up 1400 metres, so the 1700 suits this time first-up, but I think he will need the run just to bring him on for his second-up assignment, but I couldn't have been any happier with his trial."
Last year's preparation commenced over 1400m, progressed to 1700m, and then saw him deliver a striking performance in the Turnbull Stakes third-up.
"We're doing a similar campaign again to the Caulfield Cup," Stokes added.
Want to bet on the Caulfield Cup? Check out the top online bookmakers for the best racing betting markets.
More Racing News
King Charles III Stakes is the target for Autumn Glow
The decision regarding Autumn Glow's primary spring carnival objective has been announced by owner John Messara and trainer Chris Waller, bringing an end to months of speculation.Having been awarded Australian Horse of the Year at the Racing Night of Champions ceremony in Sydney on Thursday evening, Autumn Glow had attracted...
Jimmysstar ready for Melbourne return in Memsie Stakes
Jimmysstar is slated to make one of his infrequent Victorian appearances, commencing his spring campaign at Caulfield in the Group 1 Memsie Stakes.The Ciaron Maher-trained galloper has been a consistent performer and a significant money-earner for the stable, boasting over $8.8 million in prize money from 11 wins and nine...
Morphettville beckons for project galloper Chief Little Rock
It's never a simple task to refine a horse that has previously been under the guidance of Irish racing luminary Aidan O'Brien.However, this is precisely the undertaking for Ballarat trainer Patrick Kearney with Chief Little Rock, a galloper formerly owned by Lloyd and Nick Williams and with a prior connection...
Revengeance primed for spring campaign start
Adrian Bott is anticipating a profitable spring carnival outcome from his patient approach with the returning galloper Revengeance, who is set to make his reappearance in the San Domenico Stakes at Rosehill.The colt was sidelined from the autumn carnival after a knee surgery to remove bone chips, an issue that...
Untapped colt Southend's spring targets remain flexible
According to Sterling Alexiou, the team is still in the process of understanding the untapped colt Southend. The early stages of his campaign will be crucial in shaping his spring racing plans.The three-year-old is set to resume in the Group 3 Up And Coming Stakes over 1400m at Rosehill this...
Another Wil targets confidence boost at Caulfield
Ciaron Maher, the trainer, along with the connections of Another Wil, are hopeful of securing a confidence-boosting victory at Caulfield.Instead of contesting a more prestigious race like the Group 1 Memsie Stakes (1400m) on Saturday, Another Wil is slated to compete in the Evergreen Turf Handicap, also over 1400 metres.It...
Gavin Bedggood well-positioned for Heatherlie Stakes
Trainer Gavin Bedggood from Cranbourne appears to have all bases covered regarding track conditions for his two contenders in the upcoming Heatherlie Stakes at Caulfield.The Listed 1700-metre handicap on Saturday will feature Kingswood, who is first-up, and the race-fit Just Folk.Bedggood expressed a preference for drier ground for Kingswood, whereas...
Althoff's spring campaign plans are flexible
In-form gelding Althoff is currently positioned as the fourth favourite in early markets for the Group 1 Epsom Handicap, though his connections are still assessing his suitability as a genuine miler.The five-year-old, owned by the Yulong family and a winner up to 1400m, recorded a fifth-place finish in the 2024...
Tom Kitten set for second Memsie Stakes attempt
The Anthony and Sam Freedman stable is targeting a better outcome for Tom Kitten in the upcoming Memsie Stakes at Caulfield.A year ago, Tom Kitten was a late withdrawal from the Group 1 race over 1400 metres after becoming unsettled in the barriers.This incident impacted Tom Kitten's spring campaign, with...
Tulloch Lodge fields trio of emerging three-year-olds
Tulloch Lodge is poised to present the top two selections in the preliminary markets for the Up And Coming Stakes, and they present contrasting racing profiles.Plagiarism, a seasoned three-year-old, has completed five starts, whereas the untested Savagram made his initial appearance earlier this month, achieving a commanding victory from start...