A Melbourne Cup Winner By Australia - Could Happen!

Craig Tompson - Saturday March 29

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.

Deakin winning the Roy Higgins. Photo: Grant Courtney

Arriving in Australia as part of the OTI Racing operation, having had nine UK starts for Joseph O’Brien which netted two moderate wins, Deakin announced himself emphatically at Moonee Valley in February, winning the Listed Tornay Cup over 2500m by over five lengths.

He was immediately installed the short-priced favourite for the Adelaide Cup, however Stokes declared his handicap unfavourable and instead kept him for a tilt at Melbourne Cup qualification in the Higgins.

It saw him head into the race not having run since, some five weeks and a bit, and it showed.

Advertisement

Keen and fresh, one out one back, with his rider Daniel Stackhouse no doubt thankful for the horse ahead, giving cover and some limitation on enthusiasm.

2600 metres off a five-week gap with fresh zest was a tough ask, and it no doubt told in the finishing drive but it didn’t alter the result, proving too good to beat Berkshire Breeze (Mastercraftsman) by a neck with Mostly Cloudy (Harzand) third.

The win makes him exempt from the Melbourne Cup ballot and for a horse that still has the look of being a tad unfurnished, and certainly with room for improvement in race craft, he is an exciting prospect for his owners where the handicap will be his friend.

Deakin is one of 45 stakes winners for Group I Epsom Derby winner Australia.

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

A Melbourne Cup winner sired by Australia? The wheels are in motion.

Advertisment

Race Result - Lexus Roy Higgins LR 2600m

Flemington Track: Good(4) Time: 2:45.05
1
Deakin
- 5g Australia (GB) x Dealbata (IRE) (Dubawi (IRE))
Tnr: P Stokes Rdr: D W Stackhouse 57
2
0.4
Berkshire Breeze
- 6g Mastercraftsman (IRE) x Bright And Shining (IRE) (Camelot (GB))
Tnr: C Maher Rdr: M Zahra 56
3
4.4
Mostly Cloudy
- 6g Harzand (IRE) x Clarinda (FR) (Montjeu (IRE))
Tnr: T Busuttin & N Young Rdr: B Shinn 56
4
6.2
Garachico
- 6g Ribchester (IRE) x Frine (IRE) (High Chaparral (IRE))
Tnr: Dominic Sutton Rdr: W Egan 56
5
6.6
Newfoundland
- 6g Deep Impact (JPN) x Best In The World (IRE) (Galileo (IRE))
Tnr: G Waterhouse & A Bott Rdr: Jamie Melham 56
6
7.8
Stockman
- 8g Tavistock (NZ) x Crimson (NZ) (Zabeel (NZ))
Tnr: Symon Wilde Rdr: L Currie 56
7
7.9
Inevitable Award
- 4g Shamus Award (AUS) x Maiden Rock (AUS) (Rock Of Gibraltar (IRE))
Tnr: P A Preusker Rdr: D Moor 55
8
8
Etna Rosso
- 5g Decorated Knight (GB) x Kirouna (FR) (Sea The Stars (IRE))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: M J Dee 57.5
9
8.2
Silent Surrente
- 6m Fiorente (IRE) x Silent Surround (AUS) (Face Value (AUS))
Tnr: W Clarken & N O'Shea Rdr: Craig Williams 56.5
10
8.7
Smokin' Romans
- 8g Ghibellines (AUS) x Inferno (NZ) (Yamanin Vital (NZ))
Tnr: C Maher Rdr: Ethan Brown 57.5
11
23.7
Speycaster
- 6g Highland Reel (IRE) x Examinee (GER) (Monsun (GER))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: Jye McNeil 56
More Reading...
Magic Carpet wins G2 Hawkes Bay Guineas - New SW Satono Aladdin
Talented colt Magic Carpet chose the ideal moment to break his maiden status when he produced a dogged effort to claim victory in the Gr.2 Timberspan Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400).
Golden Slipper Winner Marhoona Resumes With Heritage Stakes Win
Having not been seen on race day since her success in the Group 1 ATC Golden Slipper (1200m), Champion 2YO Marhoona (Snitzel) put pay to any ‘Golden Slipper hoodoo’ to win the Listed ATC Heritage Stakes (1100m) at her first start at 3.
Beiwacht Breaks Track Record In G1 Golden Rose Romp
With many of the opinion that Godolphin would provide the winner of this year’s $1m Group 1 ATC Golden Rose (1400m), they were right, but not with the 3yo expected as the Chris Waller trained Bivouac colt Beiwacht was simply sensational in his track record breaking victory.
Sires With Winners - Saturday September 27
Here is the full list of 106 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Kiwi Bred Evaporate Wins G3 Sandown Stakes
Smart four-year-old Evaporate bounced back from a setback to win Saturday’s Gr.3 Sandown Stakes (1500m) in gallant fashion, defeating favourite Transatlantic by a nose.
Trapeze Artist Mare Earns Shot at G1 Metrop
The in form Ciaron Maher stable produced the quinella in the$250,000 Group III ATC Colin Stephen Quality (2400m) at Rosehill on Saturday with race favourite Juja Kibo (GB) beaten by progressive mare Piggyback.
Waterford Wins G2 Shannon Stakes
Talented import Waterford (IRE) has long promised to win a stakes race and he did the job in spectacular fashion at Rosehill on Saturday when scoring a dominant win in the $300,000 Group II ATC Shannon Stakes (1500m).
G2 Thousand Guineas Prelude Victory To Ferivia
Successful in the Group 3 Quezette Stakes two starts back, the Phillip Stokes trained Ferivia secured victory in the Group 2 MRC Thousand Guineas Prelude, becoming the second Group winner in the last 24 hours for the stable after the success of Snow Mercy overnight in the Group 3 Scarborough Stakes.
Manaal Wins G2 Golden Pendant – Stakes Double Emirates Park
At the official Sydney 2YO trials two years ago in 2023 two fillies impressed in their heat with Gerringong winning and Manaal finishing a close third and the pair filled the quinella in the $400,000 Group II ATC Golden Pendant (1400m ) at Rosehill on Saturday.
It's Poetic - Can It Lead To Cups Success?
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.