Playing the long game by trainer Phillip Stokes could reap the ultimate result after rising imported staying star Deakin secured his spot in the Melbourne Cup by winning the Listed Lexus Roy Higgins (2500m) at Flemington.
Arriving in Australia as part of the OTI Racing operation, having had nine UK starts for Joseph O’Brien which netted two moderate wins, Deakin announced himself emphatically at Moonee Valley in February, winning the Listed Tornay Cup over 2500m by over five lengths.
He was immediately installed the short-priced favourite for the Adelaide Cup, however Stokes declared his handicap unfavourable and instead kept him for a tilt at Melbourne Cup qualification in the Higgins.
It saw him head into the race not having run since, some five weeks and a bit, and it showed.
Keen and fresh, one out one back, with his rider Daniel Stackhouse no doubt thankful for the horse ahead, giving cover and some limitation on enthusiasm.
2600 metres off a five-week gap with fresh zest was a tough ask, and it no doubt told in the finishing drive but it didn’t alter the result, proving too good to beat Berkshire Breeze (Mastercraftsman) by a neck with Mostly Cloudy (Harzand) third.
The win makes him exempt from the Melbourne Cup ballot and for a horse that still has the look of being a tad unfurnished, and certainly with room for improvement in race craft, he is an exciting prospect for his owners where the handicap will be his friend.
Deakin is one of 45 stakes winners for Group I Epsom Derby winner Australia.
He is the best of five to race for Dubawi mare Dealbata, a US Listed winner.
A Melbourne Cup winner sired by Australia? The wheels are in motion.
