Deakin’s spring form might not jump off the page, but trainer Phillip Stokes is confident the stayer is on track for his major goals.
The gelding lines up in Saturday’s Group 1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) at Flemington, the next step towards the Caulfield Cup (2400m) and Melbourne Cup (3200m).
Deakin already has a Cup berth secured after his victory in The Roy Higgins (2600m) in March, easing the pressure on connections this spring.
Stokes had mapped out a program beginning in the Memsie Stakes and Makybe Diva Stakes, but instead opted for softer assignments before a sharp jump-out win at Pakenham.
“I felt he was doing too well so I had to screw him down a bit more,” Stokes said.
He believes the rise to 2000m will suit, and data suggests Deakin is building towards peak fitness.
“On his data from his first-up run to his second-up run he improved six lengths… I couldn’t be happier,” Stokes said.