Stokes meticulously planned Deakin's program to kick-off in the Memsie Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on August 30 and then two weeks later to run in the Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) at Flemington.
While Deakin did not contest those two races, he did run in lesser races on those days, over 1400m at Caulfield and 1700m at Flemington.
Since the Flemington outing, Deakin has won a 1200m jump-out at Pakenham.
"I felt he was doing too well so I had to screw him down a bit more," Stokes said of the Pakenham jump-out.
"He trialled up nice and he's thriving, but this is where we get serious now, these next two runs."
Stokes is expecting the rise to 2000m on Saturday to be suitable but is also well aware of the opposition Deakin is facing.
But he is happy with the way his stayer is shaping up towards his next start in the Caulfield Cup (2400m) on October 18 and then the Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington on November 4.