With the feature race of the Spring Carnival around the corner, we focus on our Melbourne Cup contender for this year – Daqiansweet Junior, affectionately known as DJ.
After winning the Group 2 Adelaide Cup in March, DJ followed that up with a brave run in the Group 1 Sydney Cup in April. As a result, the aim was always to head towards the Melbourne Cup this spring. In fact, between his run in the BM64 in November 2021 and the Sydney Cup, DJ hadn’t been out of the placings and indeed had won 5 times.
This preparation, racing in a higher grade and increasing in fitness, DJ has shown good progress through all his runs. After his last start in the G3 Bart Cummings on October 1st, which was a torrid run, trainer Phillip Stokes decided to skip the Caulfield Cup and instead go straight into the Melbourne Cup. That decision gave the horse four weeks between races and some time to freshen up.
His work at home has been very consistent and he’s shown a good finish to the line in his gallops. The 5yo had his final piece of serious work on Tuesday with Daniel Moor, who will also ride the gelding in the race next Tuesday.
“He really switched off today and got into a lovely rhythm and we actually worked to the line very well. He pulled up great and recovered pretty quickly, he’s moving well and is in great order,” says Daniel Moor after the gallop.
Phillip Stokes mentioned after the gallop ” He worked very well to the line and was nicely on the bit. He’s just done a lap of canter over 2000m and than gradually worked into it and finished off strong. That was a very good piece of work and he could probably go another lap. I’m very happy with him.”
Currently sitting at number 20 in the ballot for the Melbourne Cup, DJ is assured of a run. The final field will be announced after the last race at Flemington on Saturday, with the barrier draw held immediately after.
See the current ballot and weights for the Lexus Melbourne Cup here.
We look forward to a big day on Tuesday!
Best of luck to all involved.