At Mornington, Ciaron Maher’s charge Kings Valley has won ballot-free passage into the Caulfield Cup with a resilient triumph.
The Listed Mornington Cup on Saturday bestows upon its champion the ‘Golden Ticket’ qualification for the Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) come October.
Maher celebrated his second Mornington Cup conquest on Saturday, reminiscent of Right You Are’s 2023 win en route to fifth in the Caulfield Cup six months subsequently.
With Lachlan Neindorf in the irons, Kings Valley ($6.50) held off Pounding ($10) by a head, leaving Suntora ($10) 1-¼ lengths behind in third position.
Jack Turnbull from the Maher stable, serving as National Assistant Trainer, believes Saturday’s performance may catalyze Kings Valley’s progress.
“He didn’t go about it as you would like,” Turnbull said.
“He was on and off the bridle, but he had an economical run and got the right splits when he needed to.
“We’ve been trying to get to 2400 metres, but he’s been a fierce horse to train and race, so we worked the horse down into the race today and it’s worked out really well.
“Credit to the horse as I think he will go to the next level over this trip because he’s not slow with good change up speed.”
The ‘Golden Ticket’ for the Caulfield Cup now in possession, Turnbull revealed plans for team consultations on Kings Valley’s route to the showpiece contest.
Whether Maher opts to conclude the preparation or further refine the long-distance galloper’s racing conduct remains undecided, he added.
“We always wanted to get to this stage before having to think about that,” Turnbull said.
“We are in a really good position now.”
Neindorf popped up in his saddle upon victory and emphasized the win’s profound personal value over his two Group 1 feats in South Australia.
“This might sound outrageous, but it probably means more to me winning one of these than any of my Group 1’s,” Neindorf said.
“Just for the simple fact when I first came over as an apprentice, I lived in Mornington and then when I went back (to Adelaide) I had to build myself from the ground up and it felt like I was trying to build a skyscraper.
“I’ve come back a second time and based myself in Mornington again and this is now more so home than home in Adelaide.
“It means a lot to win this Cup today.”
Keen punters can find competitive racing betting markets for the Caulfield Cup, perfect for backing Kings Valley’s spring campaign.
