Trainer Phillip Stokes will emulate Lindsay Park’s successful formula when directing Deakin toward an Adelaide Stakes race soon.
The Group 3 The Cummings Stakes (1600m) on May 9 launches Deakin’s two-part winter campaign, designed by Stokes to optimize the gelding’s spring prospects.
Known previously as the R A Lee Stakes, the Bart Cummings offered Colin Hayes and David Hayes an ideal first-up for imported stayers en route to spring via a break.
The race also featured in plans by David Hall in Hong Kong and Lloyd Williams for Melbourne Cup runners.
After an eighth in the prior Caulfield Cup, Racing Victoria’s vet protocols scratched Deakin from the Melbourne Cup.
A 1500m trial at Caulfield Heath last Thursday has sharpened the gelding for his pending return, followed by the Listed Lord Mayor’s Cup (2000m) at Rosehill on May 30.
“He’s been away six months and an operation to put screws in his fetlocks,” Stokes said.
“That was his second jump-out and he’ll go to Adelaide on the ninth of May and go around in the Bart Cummings over a mile which will be a good starting point for him.
“It will only be a two-run prep and then he’ll head up to Sydney to run in the Lord Mayor’s Cup and then he’ll have a little break and get him ready for the spring.
“All things being equal and if we’re happy with him, we’ll put him on a Caulfield Cup path once again, not Melbourne Cup.”
Last year’s veterinary dispute with Racing Victoria over fetlock issues keeps Stokes from targeting the Melbourne Cup with Deakin.
“They said he had some changes in his fetlocks,” Stokes said.
“We couldn’t get a reaction out of him, but that’s what they said, so we had to follow protocol, and we’ve done everything they told us to do, but it set us back a long way.
“They told us to put screws in him and when international horses want to come here with screws in them, they’re not allowed to run.
“My vet and I didn’t agree with them, and we thought he was going better than ever.
“I had a horse, Daqiansweet Junior, and he wasn’t sound, but he was OK to run.
“He ran well in the Caulfield Cup last year and didn’t have a great run in it, but I’m not convinced he’s a two-miler anyway.”
Stokes will provide Deakin paddock recovery with light training after Sydney.
“I didn’t want him having almost a year off, it takes them too long to come back,” Stokes said.
“I remember Jeune ran in this race, Beldale Ball, Water Boatman and when I first started training, Lloyd Williams used to bring his horses over, give them one run, and then start again.
“It’s a nice track to give him his start for his spring campaign.”
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