Deep Field Keeps Winning Streak Intact
- Saturday, 18 October 2014 08:41
Emerging sprinter Deep Field has kept his unbeaten record intact at Randwick but Group One racing may be on hold.
And although his stablemate La Amistad ran second in her race, the Melbourne Cup dream is not over.
John Hawkes, the senior partner in the Hawkes family training partnership, said Makybe Diva's close relation La Amistad would go to Melbourne for her next start.
She chased the Chris Waller-trained Mulaqen home in the Listed City Tatt's Cup (2400m), getting to within 1-1/4 lengths.
"She will go to Melbourne and we'll see what we do when she gets there," Hawkes said.
"She's run a lot better today than last time."
The mare's last option to get to the Cup on November 4 is to win the Lexus Stakes three days earlier.
La Amistad is a three-quarter sister to triple Melbourne Cup winner Makybe diva.
The equally well bred Deep Field started the shortest priced favourite at Randwick at $1.26 and it was money easily made with the four-year-old controlling the Listed Lightning Stakes (1100m) to record his fourth win.
The elder brother of last week's Caulfield Guineas winner Shooting To Win holds an entry to the Darley Classic against the best sprinters in the country but his owner Alan Bell believes that could be a bridge too far this preparation.
"He beat them pretty well and has taken a big step," Bell said.
"But I think the autumn might be where he shines."
Brenton Avdulla, who had his first ride on Deep Field with regular partner James McDonald in Melbourne, was in no doubt he had just ridden a pin-up horse.
"That's what we get up every morning for, from when you're a kid at 15, 16 years old, to ride horses like him," Avdulla said.
"I'll make sure I get the photo and put it up on my wall at home."
Avdulla said Deep Field had not faltered throughout the race and put two lengths on his rivals when asked to extend at the top of the straight.
With Avdulla treating Deep Field kindly in the final 100 metres, the four-year-old beat second favourite That's A Good Idea ($6.50) by three lengths with a long neck to Shamalia ($26).
