Deakin may have surprised a few with his first-up placing at Caulfield, but it was no shock for trainers Phillip and Tommy Stokes.

The imported galloper ran third at $51 in the Heatherlie Stakes (1700m) on August 29 and returns to the track on Saturday to contest the Group 3 Naturalism Stakes (2000m).

The win provides a ballot exemption into the Caulfield Cup (2400m) on October 17, a race Deakin finished eighth in last year.

"We thought he would run as well as what he did first-up," Phillip Stokes said.

"His trials were very good, but when we looked at the market, we were trying to work out what we missed, but he was massive first-up.

"We thought he came back in good order, and he didn't let us down."

Stokes said since Deakin's first-up assignment, the gelding has had a jump-out on the synthetic track at Pakenham, finishing third behind stablemates Regal Award and Ferivia.

"He had a tick over jump-out last week under a good hold.

"We could not be happier with how he's progressing towards the Caulfield Cup and we'll have him there fourth-up.

"The way he's going, we feel he'll run a bold race on Saturday."

Now a seven-year-old, Stokes said Deakin was now a mature stayer and had benefitted from a nice break after last year's Caulfield Cup and only one start earlier in the year.

"Last year when he ran in the Caulfield Cup, he got buffeted a lot and it didn't work out," Stokes said.

"He wasn't beaten all that far and we feel he's come back a more mature horse.

"We've made a few changes, he's relaxing better and I'm sure he'll run well."

Stokes said try as they might, Deakin still races with his head on his side.

"That's just him. He's better when he gets outside horse," Stokes said.

"That's the European in him. He likes a bit of room."

Photo: Racing Photos