Deep Image to measure up in stakes test

Deep Image will step into stakes grade for the first time in the Recognition Handicap at Doomben.

In form Deep Image has earned the respect of two of Queensland’s most knowledgeable racing people as he heads to his stakes race debut.

Multiple Group One winners, trainer Rob Heathcote and jockey Robbie Fradd have made it clear they feel Deep Image will be among the best chances in the Listed Recognition Stakes (1350m) at Doomben.

The Recognition Stakes has been one of the Tattersall’s Club’s feature races for 60 years but after first being a 2100m race it was reduced in distance to 1600m a decade ago.

However, it is now being placed as a race for sprinters and horses headed to longer races in the summer being run at 1350m.

Trainer Robert Heathcote believes it is the perfect race to test Deep Image as a stakes horse.

“And I think he will be very heard to beat,” Heathcote said.

Heathcote has some good reasons for his confidence.

Deep Image came from the outside barrier to lead all the way to win the BRC Membership Handicap (1400m) at his first attempt at open company three weeks ago.

It took Deep Image’s record since joining Heathcote at Eagle Farm to two wins and a second from three starts.

“That should set Deep Image up nicely for the summer. He won a trial in good fashion before returning to racing and has won two races in impressive fashion,” Heatchote said.

“His only defeat for us was when he was very unlucky and trapped off the track from wide barrier when second to Tambo’s Mate who has since run second in stakes company.

“Then a few people were saying he couldn’t win from the outside barrier at his last start but all it did was mean a better price.”

Fradd, who has ridden more than 2000 winners worldwide, couldn’t hide his enthusiasm for Deep Image who he has been on in all three recent starts.

“It was a very good effort (his last start win) as he was able to work across and lead. He is ready for Listed-class races now,” Fradd said.