It’s almost poetic – a horse bred in France, by Australia, starting his career in Ireland but giving notice at Moonee Valley on Friday night he’s on his way to stardom in - Australia.
Deakin is the horse, at one time highly rated for the Irish Derby when trained by Joseph O’Brien before heading to Australia to the Phillip Stokes stable as part of the OTI Racing team and he claimed black type winning the Listed Manhari Torney Night Cup (2500m).
Stokes has always had lofty ambitions for Deakin and is building him nicely, winning at his second Australian start by three lengths at Pakenham in December before a last start second at Flemington over 2000m on Jan 18.
Stepping up to a proper staying trip of 2500m on Friday however, he annihilated his opposition, winning by a facile three lengths in the manner of a stayer with genuine major race ambitions.
He’s an exciting stayer this horse,” said Stokes.
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uo;Four and a half weeks a between runs and up to 2500m.
“He’ll go to the Adelaide Cup now.
“He’s still a prep away. Got a lot of maturing to do.”
Deakin is the best of five to race for Dubawi mare Dealbata, a US Listed winner.
There’s been no Adelaide Cup/Melbourne Cup double winner since Subzero in 1992 however one suspects this horse is on the journey.
Whether he’s up to it will be interesting viewing.
