Without a Easter Cup on his resume, Ciaron Maher intends to remedy the omission by running Kings Valley at Caulfield this Saturday.
Kings Valley enters the 2000m Group 3 handicap third-up, riding high after taking the Bairnsdale Cup most recently.
The Bairnsdale Cup form may lack elite status for Stakes level, but securing it was pivotal for Kings Valley, enabling Maher to foster the gelding’s streak of successes.
UK origins saw Kings Valley debut Down Under as a maiden, persisting through seven losses before his eighth start—fourth locally—yielded a Horsham 1800m maiden victory.
A hot streak ensued with conquests at Caulfield Heath, Sandown, and Randwick, overcoming Birdman there.
Maher eyed major spring targets, however wins proved scarce amid placings at Moonee Valley and Caulfield, resurfacing with the March 22 Bairnsdale Cup.
“First-up was terrible, but then we gave him a trial and after that we took him to Caulfield for a gallop and that really brought him on,” Maher said.
“And it was a brilliant ride at Bairnsdale by Tom (Stockdale).
“It’s a tricky little track and they went quick and he weaved his way through. He had to get it right and he did and that’s why he won.
“Last prep he never really hit the mark, but I think this prep will be a lot better.
“Last time we ran him at a mile first-up and he pulled and I think that ruined the rest of his prep, but this time there has been a nice progression and now that he’s won, he can go on.
“He’s on the right path this time and he’ll be much better at the 2000 metres.”
Saturday brings Declan Bates in to ride Kings Valley, succeeding Thomas Stockdale.
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