Trainer Shea Eden thought the idea of King Way contesting a stakes race when he started his campaign was way off the mark.
But after success at Geelong at his most recent outing, King Way runs in the Listed R M Ansett Classic (2400m) at Mornington on Saturday.
The victory came at King Way’s 15th Australian start, following nine placings, after he arrived from France coming off a win at Longchamp in June 2014.
The US-bred seven-year-old has been dogged by problems and Eden says he’s only now winning the battle.
And because of those battles he says it’s been hard getting the gelding fit.
“He’s had a lot of feet problems, no sole,” Eden said.
“We had to seek the assistance of a farrier in Scone, Luke Wells-Smith.
“He spent a fair amount of time on his feet and my farrier has continued to follow the steps Luke has asked him to.”
Eden also attributed his beach property at Corinella as playing a massive part in transforming King Way.
He said he had been able to put the work into the gelding without having to put him under any pressure.
And Eden says he’s lucky the owners of King Way are patient.
“They’ve let me do my thing in terms of getting him as sound as I can,” Eden said.
“And I’m confident he’s now there.
“He gradually needed to get back to peak fitness and form on the track and not so much on the training track.”
King Way had been gradually working his way towards a win and Eden went into the Geelong race over 2447m confident the gelding would be in the finish on a quick back-up and with a weight drop.
On Saturday it will be 13 days between runs and Eden is confident of a forward showing.
“Six months ago to be thinking of having a go at a Listed race was pretty far-fetched,” Eden said.
“But I think he’s a live chance.
“He’s in peak fitness and off the back of a really good win.”
