Ciaron Maher is still searching for his initial Easter Cup triumph but aims to change that scenario featuring Kings Valley at Caulfield.
The gelding Kings Valley heads into Saturday’s Group 3 handicap over 2000m third-up, fresh from a victory in his previous outing, the Bairnsdale Cup.
While the Bairnsdale Cup might not serve as the strongest pointer for tackling a Stakes event, it represented a key success for Kings Valley, allowing Maher to sustain the gelding’s current winning streak.
Kings Valley began his racing life in the UK, arriving in Australia without a victory, and required eight starts overall—his fourth Down Under—to secure his breakthrough win in a 1800m maiden at Horsham.
That marked the beginning of a promising sequence, including triumphs at Caulfield Heath, Sandown, and Randwick, where he defeated Birdman.
Maher anticipated greater achievements in the spring carnival, yet the gelding struggled to recapture winning ways despite solid placings at Moonee Valley and Caulfield; success returned only with the Bairnsdale Cup on March 22.
“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.”
Declan Bates will partner Kings Valley from Thomas Stockdale on Saturday.
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