Trainer maps plan for Cup hope

Trainer Phillip Stokes is crediting his property at Garfield with getting horses of the calibre of Melbourne Cup hope Deakin. 

Terry Henderson and the OTI syndicate have entrusted Stokes with the training of a number of stayers, including dual Melbourne Cup runner Daqiansweet Junior and French import Amade. 

Daqiansweet Junior run sixth in the Cup in 2022 and buttered up again the following year to run fifth while Amade, who had a history of leg problems, was a proven stayer. 

Stokes said Deakin was a superior galloper to both those stayers and with a Melbourne Cup start safely tucked away, the trainer can concentrate on getting him to The Cup in peak condition. 

"He was out in the paddock for nearly eight weeks, and had a good break," Stokes said. 

"He came straight from quarantine and did it all in one preparation (last time) which is almost unheard of and that's why Terry keeps sending me horses. 

"He's better than them (Daqiansweet Junior and Amade), but I just don't know if he'll get two miles. That's the question mark, is he too brilliant for that trip. 

"We'll find out." 

Deakin won The Roy Higgins (2600m) at Flemington in March, gaining a ballot exemption into the Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington in November. 

Stokes has planned Deakin's campaign to kick-off with a jump-out towards the end of the month then go first-up in the Memsie Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield at the end of August which will then flow into the Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m), the Turnbull Stakes (2000m) and the Caulfield Cup (2400m). 

"His first two runs will be too short for him, but I think he'll run well in the Turnbull," Stokes said. 

"I'm really happy with him, he's come back stronger. 

"Just going through the previous winners of the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups, it looks a traditional lead-up starting point, the Memsie. 

"I thought that we'd try and repeat history and follow what all the good horses have done." 

Deakin had a good first campaign in Australia after arriving from Ireland, winning at Pakenham second-up with further wins at Moonee Valley and Flemington, in a six-start campaign. 

Stokes pointed out European stayers invariably improve at their second campaigns, which the trainer is not complaining about. 

"I remember I had a horse called Aesop," Stokes said. 

"It's first preparation I was getting beaten in benchmark 64s at Sale and I thought 'this horse is no good', but the next preparation it was winning Saturday races. 

"The last time Deakin was in work, he had a winter coat during the summer. 

"He's one that we're very excited about."