It's
a long way to go to get to Black Caviar's perfect 25 from 25, but rising star
sprinter Deep Field kept his unbeaten record intact to go five for five at Flemington
on Saturday when capturing the Group II VRC Tab,com,au Stakes.
Nurtured patiently by Team Hawkes, Deep Field tasted his first Black Type
success last start when successful in a Listed race at Randwick and was
stepping up another level for this 1200 metre assignment.
The powerhouse bay son of Northern Meteor looked dangerous in a jump-out up the
straight earlier this week and utilized the experience to travel smoothly in
the lead throughout for Dwayne Dunn, before pulling out an effort when required
to hold off Group I winner Driefontein to win by a length.
"He's still learning his craft but as you can see, he's pretty good," Dunn
said.
"I put him on the outside fence just to give him a guide and try and get
away from the wind, which was really strong out there,
"The mare (Driefontein) on his inside had a crack and it was good for him.
When I gave him a couple of backhanders he lengthened again for me."
A $440,000 Inglis Easter purchase from the draft of Edinglassie Stud, Deep
Field runs for Alan Bell and the Kia Ora Stud Syndicate and has won all five starts
to date earning over $315,000 in prizemoney.
He looms as a very exciting prospect for the big Melbourne sprints next year,
once he's had a break and a chance to regroup from what has been a meteoric
first preparation.
Deep Field was the most expensive yearling from the first crop of Northern Meteor
and is a full brother to Group I MRC Caulfield Guineas hero Shooting to Win.
Deep Field and Shooting to Win are the first and second foals of stakes-winning
Elusive Quality (USA) mare Listen Here, who comes from the Cotehele House
branch of the Eight Carat family that has produced Group I stars Danewin and
Emerald Dream as well as leading sire Commands.
Click here to read more about this remarkable producer, who has a yearling
filly by Hinchinbrook and has been covered this spring by Northern Meteor's
star son Zoustar.
Deep Field is one of 12 stakes-winners for ill-fated Northern Meteor, whose
final crop of yearlings will be offered at sales next year.