Deakin’s spring plans have been slightly reshaped by trainer Phillip Stokes, with the stayer to resume in the Sportsbet Feed Handicap (1400m) at Caulfield instead of tackling the Group 1 Memsie Stakes (1400m) on the same card.

Stokes had originally earmarked the Memsie as Deakin’s starting point, but with the race attracting 10 Group 1 winners, he opted for the more manageable assignment to begin the gelding’s Melbourne Cup preparation.

“I didn’t realise there was a benchmark 100 over the same trip on the same day,” Stokes said.

“I doubt he could win either race, so the benchmark 100 is an easier race, so we’ll kick him off in that and he’ll get just as much benefit from it.

“I didn’t think he needed a real high-pressure 1400-metre race to start off in, so we’ll switch to that and then revert to our original plan.

“Everything is all good, and we don’t have to pay a fortune to accept.”

Following Saturday, Deakin will head to the Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on September 13, the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) on October 4, and the Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) on October 18, before his ultimate goal, the Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) on November 4.

Deakin already holds a ballot exemption into the Cup thanks to his win in The Roy Higgins (2600m) in March.

Stokes noted the track conditions would be important, with the horse preferring firmer footing.

“He’s better on top of the ground,” Stokes said.

“His first trial (this campaign) was on the wet and he didn’t really like it, but I couldn’t be happier with the way the horse is going.

“His work on Tuesday was very sharp.”

Punters tracking Deakin’s spring journey towards the Melbourne Cup can follow the latest betting markets at Australia’s leading betting sites.