An autumn campaign devised to make Deep Field one of Australia’s most valuable stallions has started in emphatic style.
Unbeaten in five starts, Deep Field trounced his rivals in an 800-metre Flemington jump-out on Friday morning to confirm his place in the Lightning Stakes at the same track on Saturday week.
Deep Field
The heat included Group One-winning three-year-old Brazen Beau who was given an easy time to finish on the heels of a group of horses which were four lengths in arrears of Deep Field.
Deep Field, who hasn’t raced since winning at Flemington on the first day of the Melbourne Cup carnival, will chase his first Group One victory in the Lightning.
A Lightning win will confirm Deep Field will be one of the most sought-after entires with Australia’s leading thoroughbred farms.
He is already assured of a future as stud as a son of the late Northern Meteor and a brother to the Caulfield Guineas winner Shooting To Win.
But co-trainer Wayne Hawkes says a Group One win would secure Deep Field’s reputation as one of the hottest prospects in Australian breeding.
“He’s got to get his job done in a Group One yet but he’s on track,” Hawkes said.
Deep Field cruised along on speed, built his momentum through the final 400m and ran through the line to leave Hawkes more than satisfied.
“He was good. He had a good sweat around his breastplate and everything and that’s all right. That’s what he’s here for, to get fit,” Hawkes said.
Brazen Beau, poised to stand at Darley Stud in Victoria later this year, settled off the speed and jockey Craig Williams was happy with the way the colt felt.
“Chris (Waller) just said to keep him interested and let him enjoy himself, and that’s exactly what he did,” Williams said.
“It was a very competitive trial and he’s going the right way leading into the Lightning.”
Brazen Beau is scheduled to run in the Lightning, Newmarket Handicap and the Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot.
