The win provided jockey Brenton Avdulla with a double on the Gold Coast program after he won the $250,000 Magic Millions Maiden Plate (1200m) on fellow Ryan-Alexiou stable runner Silentsar.
"It was a target race for him (Deficit)," Avdulla said.
"I remember talking to Gerald (Ryan) probably six weeks ago, a bit longer, and I said I was going to be up here for the two days.
He said, 'don't take a ride in The Wave (Deficit) and don't take a ride in the maiden (Silentsar) so it's paid off."
"He's had a nice slow prep building towards today. He drew a gate and he performed to his best.
"He was good. He presented at the right time and he just needed an ounce of luck to get out. He got his way out and he made the most of it."