A change of scenery from the usual stable environment is expected to help Deakin return to the winner’s circle in Saturday’s Group 2 Moonee Valley Gold Cup.

With the Cox Plate meeting being staged at Flemington and the Moonee Valley Cup also being run away from its traditional venue, the 2500-metre distance is still considered suitable.

Co-trainer Phillip Stokes felt a need to switch up the routine for the former Irish stayer, who has been absent from the winner’s list since March 2025 after winning the Listed Roy Higgins Quality at Flemington over 2600m.

His spring campaign last year was brought to an early end after finishing outside the placings in the Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) due to fetlock issues.

Deakin finished eighth at his last start, more than seven lengths behind the winner Juja Kibo, in the Group 1 Metropolitan (2400m) at Randwick on October 6. He has drawn barrier 15, an awkward position from the 2500m start at Flemington given the short run to the first turn.

“We sent him up to Sydney and it didn’t work out,” Stokes said.

“But we feel that the Moonee Valley Cup is the right race for him and it is time for him to shine in that.”

In his last two races this preparation, a tendency to hit a flat spot around the 300-metre mark from the finish line has been a costly factor.

“We have had him up at the farm a little bit and we are hoping that will turn him around and rejuvenate him,” Stokes added.

“His work (since) has been good and by race day he will be where we want.”

The forecast of rain in Melbourne on Friday and Saturday does not present any worries for Stokes concerning the six-year-old gelding.

Deakin is currently 34th in the order of entry for the Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) on November 3, where a maximum of 24 runners will make up the final field. Consider the latest betting markets for the race at online bookmakers.