Specific Autumn Path Yet to be Set for Deep Field

Yet to taste anything but success over his short yet impressive racing career, co-trainer Wayne Hawkes has revealed plans are yet to be decided on for talented sprinter Deep Field over autumn, but above all will aim to keep his so-far perfect record intact.

Deep Field will aim for Group 1 glory in what could be his final racing preparation over autumn. Photo: Steve Hart

Deep Field will aim for Group 1 glory in what could be his final racing preparation over autumn. Photo: Steve Hart

Returning to racing in typically slick form over the Spring Racing Carnival, Deep Field has not been seen on course competitively since comfortably taking out the Group 2 Salinger Stakes (12000m) at Flemington on November 1st.

Having reportedly taken well to his time in the paddock and subsequent return to work, Hawkes revealed to Racing Ahead the son of Northern Meteor will more than likely be retired to the breeding barn at the conclusion of autumn and it is a high priority for the team to keep his unbeaten record intact.

“If you’ve ever seen Deep Field it’s the incentive for people to go to the races to see him, he is one special-looking horse there’s no doubt about that and he just oozes class,” Hawkes said.

“He has to trial and everything but there is stacks of races, there’s the Lightning and in Sydney there’s good races like the TJ Smith worth lots of money, so we’re certainly in no rush, we’ll let him tell us,” Hawkes said.

“We are still to decide when we come down for the Lightning, or not, he probably will but it’s not 100 per cent certain.

“It’s a bit unfortunate that a horse like Deep Field we may only get to see him two or three times more before he’s retired…so from our point of view we have to keep his record intact.

“It’s no point having all these grand master plans, if something goes wrong or if something’s amiss, nothing is with him, but you always like to make a last-minute decision just to make the right decision.”

Comfortably taking out two minor sprints over his debut prep through the 2014 winter, Deep Field jogged home to win the Hyland Race Colours 3.y.o+ (1100m) first-up; making a successful step-up to black type racing when winning the Listed Lightning Stakes (1100m) by three lengths in his only other start prior to the Salinger Stakes.

A possible racing swansong for the classy four-year-old Deep Field is currently available at a quote of $6 for success in the Group 1 T.J. Smith Stakes (1200m) with Ladbrokes Australia.

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Jared Timms

Jared graduated with a journalism degree in 2011. He is a keen sports fan and has enjoyed many accolades for his lively writing style and comprehensive coverage of major sporting events and horse racing. Today, you can find Jared cheering on his beloved Manchester City with a beer in hand.