Deja (Fr) (Youmzain {Ire}), recent winner of the Old Newton Cup for Phoenix Thoroughbreds, could be heading to Australia later this year after being given entries for the G1 Caulfield Cup and G1 Melbourne Cup.
The winner of five of his eight starts to date, the 5-year-old, who is trained by Peter Chapple-Hyam, has been raised seven pounds for his most recent victory and looks likely to carry top weight in the Ebor H. at York on Saturday, Aug. 22.
“We have had it on our mind all year to step him up into Group races before the end of the season and the Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup are definitely options,” said Phoenix Thoroughbreds' PR manager and UK representative Jamie Watson.
“If he were to win [the Ebor] or even go close, I think you'd have to strongly consider going for the Melbourne Cup. We think a mile and a half is his minimum and would expect even more from him over longer distances, and there's every chance he'll get his ground conditions in Australia at that time of year. We are also looking at the Doncaster Cup and the stayers' race on Champions Day at Ascot as other options.”
The Phoenix Thoroughbreds team has already tasted Group 1 success in Australia with Loving Gaby (Aus) (I Am Invincible {Aus}) as well as with the homebred Golden Slipper winner Farnan (Aus) (Not A Single Doubt {Aus}), who is raced in partnership with Aquis Farm.
Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.
