Brilliant Deep Field Wins Group Two

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 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.

Listen Here has been covered this spring by Northern Meteor’s dual Group I winning son Zoustar, so will produce a three-quarter sibling to her star sons next year.

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.