Trainer Phillip Stokes working on Memsie Stakes return for Melbourne Cup contender Deakin
Stokes had the benefit of knowing he had a Melbourne Cup runner the moment Deakin earned a ballot exemption with his win as an odds-on favourite in the Listed Roy Higgins at Flemington in March.
Bookmakers thought enough of Deakin's win months out from the 2025 edition of Australia's great race to position him on the fourth line of Melbourne Cup betting at $15.
Deakin surprised Stokes with his rapid development at his first Australian campaign.
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Stokes noted many imports improved at their second local preparations but Deakin posted an easy win at Pakenham at his second Victorian start before saluting by more than five lengths in the Listed Torney Cup at The Valley two starts later.
'It's very unheard of,' Stokes said of Deakin's immediate impact on Victoria's staying ranks.
'I remember I had a horse years ago, Aesop, his first prep I was getting beaten in benchmark 64s at Sale and said this horse is no good and he came out the next prep winning Saturday races.
'That's the improvement they can make.'
Stokes said Deakin had further acclimatised to Victoria, aligning his coat with the current conditions instead of being out of sync as he was when first arrived.
Deakin refuses to give in to Berkshire Breeze, who made a race of the Roy Higgins, but wasn't able to go past the gallant @pstokesracing stayer ðŸ'°
We'll see you on the first Tuesday in November, Deakin 😉 @DanielStack33 pic.twitter.com/eUBMrzTjPD
— Racing.com (@Racing) March 29, 2025
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'Last time he had a winter coat in the middle of summer. He's one we're very excited about,' Stokes said.
'We're really happy with him. He's come back stronger.'
Stokes said Deakin was set to trial at Caulfield at the end of July.
He said the son of Australia would build fitness for the Melbourne Cup via the traditional path, starting with the Group 1 Memsie Stakes before building to the Makybe Diva Stakes, Turnbull Stakes and Caulfield Cup.
'He was out for nearly eight weeks. Had a good break,' Stokes said.
'His first two runs will be too short, but in the Turnbull, he'll run well.
'Going through previous winners of all those Melbourne Cups, Caulfield Cups, they all seem to start there, seems to be a traditional path.
'We're going to try and repeat history, what all the good horses have done.'
Stokes has a good guide to Australia's 3200m features via the deeds of the recently retired Daqiansweet Junior, who won an Adelaide Cup, finished third in a Sydney Cup as well as fifth and sixth in two cracks at the Melbourne Cup.
Stokes said Deakin had a talent edge on Daqiansweet Junior but a question remained over the promising stayer.
'He's better than Daqiansweet Junior,' Stokes said.
'We'll find out.'
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