No Firm Plans For Deep Field

Deep Field remains in work at the Sydney-based stable of Team Hawkes, but co-trainer Michael Hawkes has revealed that the stable do not have any firm plans with the talented sprinter.

Deep Field was upset by Target In Sight in the 2015 Maurice McCarten Stakes. Photo by: Steve Hart

Deep Field was upset by Target In Sight in the 2015 Maurice McCarten Stakes. Photo by: Steve Hart

Deep Field was rated one of the most exciting horses in Australia at the start of the Autumn Racing Carnival, but the shine has come off the Northern Meteor entire after he finished third in the Group 1 Black Caviar Lightning Stakes (1000m) at Flemington on February 21, was beaten by Target In Sight in the Group 3 Maurice McCarten Stakes (1100m) at Rosehill Gardens on March 31 and finished a disappointing 11th in the Group 1 The Galaxy (1100m) at the same venue last weekend.

There was speculation that Team Hawkes would elect to back Deep Field up in the Group 1 William Reid Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley on Friday night, but those plans were cancelled when he showed traces of mucus the day after The Galaxy.

Deep Field remains in the entries for the Group 1 T.J. Smith Stakes (1200m) that will be held at Royal Randwick on April 4, but Hawkes told Sky Racing HQ this morning that the stable were yet to make a decision about the racing future of the four-year-old.

“Last start with the blinkers on he just went way too hard and he is just doing a few things a bit upside down at the moment,” Hawkes said.

“He pulled up ok, he just had a little touch of mucus in his throat there on Monday and we decided not to nom him for Friday at Moonee Valley.

“He is still here at the stable just ticking over and we just need to take stock and see how we go with him.”

Team Hawkes is sure to have one runner in the 2015 T.J. Smith Stakes and Chautauqua is currently on top of betting market for the Group 1 event that will be held on the opening day of The Championships.

Hawkes said that Chautauqua had trained on strongly following his second place finish in the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap (1200m) at Flemington on March 14 and he confirmed that the Encosta De Lago gelding would arrive in Sydney at the start of next week.

“He is still in Melbourne and he will probably head up the stable next week,” Hawkes said.

“He has come through his run really good and we have just kept him there poking along.

“He has been to Sydney before and he knows what it is all about.

“Everybody knows that we travel up and down the highway like we do, so there is no real rush to get him here.”

Chautauqua is currently available at 2015 T.J. Smith Stakes odds of $3, while Deep Field is out to a quote of $41 to record a maiden win at Group 1 level.

About The Author

Thomas Hackett

Thomas is a passionate and opinionated racing journalist and punter who has been obsessed with horse racing since he backed Saintly to win the 1996 Melbourne Cup. An international racing enthusiast, he has his finger on the pulse of racing news not just from Australia but all around the world.