It's Poetic - Can It Lead To Cups Success?

Craig Tompson - Friday February 21

It’s almost poetic – a horse bred in France, by Australia, starting his career in Ireland but giving notice at Moonee Valley on Friday night he’s on his way to stardom in - Australia.

That's how you do it. Deakin.

Deakin is the horse, at one time highly rated for the Irish Derby when trained by Joseph O’Brien before heading to Australia to the Phillip Stokes stable as part of the OTI Racing team and he claimed black type winning the Listed Manhari Torney Night Cup (2500m).

Stokes has always had lofty ambitions for Deakin and is building him nicely, winning at his second Australian start by three lengths at Pakenham in December before a last start second at Flemington over 2000m on Jan 18.

Advertisement

Stepping up to a proper staying trip of 2500m on Friday however, he annihilated his opposition, winning by a facile three lengths in the manner of a stayer with genuine major race ambitions.

He’s an exciting stayer this horse,” said Stokes.

&ldq

uo;Four and a half weeks a between runs and up to 2500m.

“He’ll go to the Adelaide Cup now.

“He’s still a prep away. Got a lot of maturing to do.”

Deakin is the best of five to race for Dubawi mare Dealbata, a US Listed winner.

There’s been no Adelaide Cup/Melbourne Cup double winner since Subzero in 1992 however one suspects this horse is on the journey.

Whether he’s up to it will be interesting viewing.

Advertisment

Race Result - Manhari Torney Night Cup LR 2500m

Moonee Valley Track: Good(3) Time: 2:33.55
1
Deakin
- 5g Australia (GB) x Dealbata (IRE) (Dubawi (IRE))
Tnr: P Stokes Rdr: D W Stackhouse 54
2
5.5
Garachico
- 6g Ribchester (IRE) x Frine (IRE) (High Chaparral (IRE))
Tnr: Dominic Sutton Rdr: M J Dee 54.5
3
6.3
Newfoundland
- 6g Deep Impact (JPN) x Best In The World (IRE) (Galileo (IRE))
Tnr: G Waterhouse & A Bott Rdr: Jamie Melham 54
4
7.5
United Nations
- 6g Galileo (IRE) x Christmas Kid (USA) (Lemon Drop Kid (USA))
Tnr: C Maher Rdr: Jye McNeil 54
5
7.9
Mystery Island
- 8g Victoire Pisa (JPN) x Mystique (GER) (Monsun (GER))
Tnr: Shane Jackson Rdr: H Coffey 54
6
9.7
Speycaster
- 6g Highland Reel (IRE) x Examinee (GER) (Monsun (GER))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: Beau Mertens 54
7
10.4
Stockman
- 8g Tavistock (NZ) x Crimson (NZ) (Zabeel (NZ))
Tnr: Symon Wilde Rdr: Damian Lane 55.5
8
11.2
Fame
- 5g Manhattan Rain (AUS) x Spirit Bird (NZ) (Savabeel (AUS))
Tnr: P G Moody & Katherine Coleman Rdr: Carleen Hefel 54
9
16.9
Aurora's Symphony
- 8g Glass Harmonium (IRE) x Aurora's Hot (AUS) (Fantastic Light (USA))
Tnr: Symon Wilde Rdr: Jordan Childs 56
10
20.4
Mehzebeen
- 5m Almanzor (FR) x Salkantay (NZ) (Zabeel (NZ))
Tnr: M W Walker Rdr: Craig Williams 56.5
11
30.4
First Immortal
- 5g Churchill (IRE) x Storm Siren (AUS) (Excites (AUS))
Tnr: Mark & Levi Kavanagh Rdr: J Bowditch 58.5
More Reading...
Winning Hat-Trick for Gold Standard 2YO
When an unheralded sire produces a Group I winner in their first crop as happened for Sebring stallion Gold Standard it can take a long time for the benefit of that early splash to take effect, but in his case the wait is nearly over and in the meantime Destiny’s Summit is a good reminder as to his merit.
A Melbourne Cup Winner By Australia - Could Happen!
Playing the long game by trainer Phillip Stokes could reap the ultimate result after rising imported staying star Deakin secured his spot in the Melbourne Cup by winning the Listed Lexus Roy Higgins (2500m) at Flemington.
Hello Youmzain Filly Wins NZ Last Stakes Race of Season
Talented juvenile filly Platinum Diamond made all posts a winner when she captured her second consecutive stakes victory in the last black type feature of the 2024-2025 racing season, the Listed Phils Electrical & Gypsy Caravans Ryder Stakes (1200m) at Otaki.
Inglis Digital Now Online - G1 Winner Velocious the Star
The G1-winning Champion 2YO Velocious (Written Tycoon) has been joined by a host of outstanding racing and breeding prospects in a tantalising Inglis Digital July (Late) Online Sale catalogue.
One to Watch Wins Again in Saturday Class
The half-brother to Group II winner Stretan Angel, lightly raced three year-old Brutal gelding Glorious Moments was in a class of his own at Randwick on Saturday.
St Mark’s Basilica Filly Impressive at Ascot
Due back at Coolmore Australia this spring, St Mark’s Basilica (Fr) had an impressive new winner overnight at Ascot in the UK where Princess Petrol stormed to victory.
Unbeaten Run Continues For Ole Kirk’s Daughter Ole Dancer
Successful in the Magic Millions SA 2YO Classic at Murray Bridge on debut back in March, the Peter Moody and Katherine Colemen trained filly Ole Dancer resumed at Sandown on Saturday, winning the Senet Gambling Law Experts Handicap (1200m) to remain unbeaten.
Sires With Winners - Friday July 25
Here is the full list of 49 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Spring Trial Watch – Warwick Farm
Spring was in the air at Warwick Farm on Friday morning with a couple of heats for Group and Listed winners that included Lady Shenandaoh, Ceolwulf, plus Cups contender Sir Delius (GB).
Exciting Farnan Colt Wins for Mulberry Racing
A standout in the mounting yard on type at Randwick on Saturday, Farnan colt Nashville Jack has also been an eye-catcher at the recent trials in Sydney and he delivered on potential when resuming from a spell with a stylish win.