Trainer Phillip Stokes is confident that his progressive stayer Deakin is tracking well towards next month’s Adelaide Cup. The five-year-old had a jumpout at Pakenham last week to keep his fitness levels up between races.

Deakin’s most recent outing saw him finish second in a Benchmark 100 handicap at Flemington, and he will next step out in the Torney Night Cup (2500m) at The Valley.

Stokes, who has already tasted Adelaide Cup success with Good Idea (2021) and Daqiansweet Junior (2022), sees similarities between Deakin and his former winner.

“He’s going really well,” Stokes said. “It’s been four weeks between runs, so we just thought we’d give him a tick-over jumpout.

“He’s going to go to the Torney Cup on Friday week at The Valley and then he’ll go to the Adelaide Cup, all things being well.”

“He probably fits the mould of Daqiansweet Junior, who went from the Torney Cup into the Adelaide Cup.”

Formerly trained by Joseph O’Brien in Ireland, Deakin made an immediate impact in Australia, securing a win over 2000m at just his second start for Stokes in December. Having also won over 2500m, he looks well suited to the upcoming Cup assignments.

Stokes believes there’s even more to come from Deakin. “What excites me most about this horse is that he’s still a preparation away, he’s still got some maturing to do, so for his first preparation here in Australia, he’s done better than (I was) expecting.”

Stablemate Taramansour, who recently placed at Listed level, could also join Deakin in the Adelaide Cup lineup.