A spell from the typical stable routine is anticipated to assist Deakin in returning to the winner’s enclosure in Saturday’s Group 2 Moonee Valley Gold Cup.
With the Cox Plate meeting taking place at Flemington and the Moonee Valley Cup also being held away from its usual track for the first time, the 2500-metre distance remains a suitable challenge.
Co-trainer Phillip Stokes believed a change in routine was necessary for the former Irish import, who hasn’t secured a win since March 2025 when he took out the Listed Roy Higgins Quality at Flemington over 2600m.
His previous spring campaign was curtailed after he finished outside the placings in the Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) due to fetlock issues.
Deakin finished eighth in his most recent outing, 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 for the 2500m start at Flemington, which features a short run to the first turn.
“We sent him up to Sydney and it didn’t work out,” Stokes stated.
“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 starts this preparation, a tendency to hit a flat spot around 300 metres from the finish line has proven costly.
“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 poses no concern for Stokes regarding the six-year-old gelding.
Deakin currently sits 34th in the order of entry for the Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) on November 3, a race that will feature a maximum of 24 starters in the final field. Punters can find the latest racing odds at Australian betting sites.