On paper the performances of Deakin so far this campaign may appear underwhelming, but trainer Phillip Stokes is content with how the stayer is tracking towards his spring goals.
Deakin takes the next step on his journey towards the Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup double in the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) at Flemington on Saturday.
Stokes has been able to switch up Deakin’s program in his bid to get Deakin to peak fitness and even had the opportunity of sneaking in a jump-out just to increase those fitness levels.
Deakin won a ballot exemption into the Melbourne Cup through his win in The Roy Higgins (2600m) at Flemington in March, taking the pressure off Stokes in trying to win a start in the big race during the spring.
Stokes meticulously planned Deakin’s program to kick-off in the Memsie Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on August 30 and then two weeks later to run in the Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) at Flemington.
While Deakin did not contest those two races, he did run in lesser races on those days, over 1400m at Caulfield and 1700m at Flemington.
Since the Flemington outing, Deakin has won a 1200m jump-out at Pakenham.
“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 is expecting the rise to 2000m on Saturday to be suitable but is also well aware of the opposition Deakin is facing.
But he is happy with the way his stayer is shaping up towards his next start in the Caulfield Cup (2400m) on October 18 and then the Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington 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.”
