Having finished third at his race track debut a few weeks prior, the John Sargent-trained Shaft gelding Deakes scored a devastating two-and-three-quarter length victory over 1100m at Wangatui, New Zealand on Boxing Day.
A half-brother to Ad Valorem’s G3-winning, G1-placed Uate, Deakes is out of the city-winning Over mare Long Walk. The dam of three to race for three winners, Deakes was sold for NZ$60,000 at the 2011 New Zealand Bloodstock Select yearling sale.
The winner of the G2 Silver Slipper on debut, Shaft defeated a class field which included Husson Lightning, Murtajill, Miss Watagan, Hurried Choice, Solo Flyer and Superfly. With nine G1 winners under his first three dams including Horse of the Year Typhoon Tracy (who was recently reported in foal to Street Cry), Shaft was so appealing as a yearling he cost $700,000.
Having recently finished covering his fourth book of mares, the Stakes-winning son of Flying Spur will have three yearlings for sale during the Magic Millions carnival in early January, before being represented by eight individuals at the Inglis Classic yearling sale a few weeks later.
