Trainer Ciaron Maher has the Geelong Cup in his sights with Gilded Water but has a back-up option at Moonee Valley should something go awry.
Damaging winds are forecast for Geelong on Wednesday with anywhere between 4mm and 15mm of rain.
The Moonee Valley Gold Cup (2500m) on Friday night is the back-up option for Gilded Water, but Maher prefers Wednesday’s Geelong Cup (2400m).
The Geelong Cup has attracted 10 runners under handicap conditions while 14 gallopers have accepted at Moonee Valley, a set-weights with penalties contest.
Besides Gilded Water, Changingoftheguard, Onesmoothoperator and Grand Pierro are acceptors for both races.
Gilded Water, who is owned by His Majesty The King, needs to win on either Wednesday or Friday night to be assured of gaining a start in the Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington on November 4.
Both races offer the winner a ballot exemption into The Cup.
Gilded Water enters Wednesday’s race having finished third in The Bart Cummings (2500m) at Flemington on October 4 when he got out with a long lead.
Maher has put a norton bit on the gelding while Declan Bates replaces Jamie Kah.
“If the weather stays, he will run at Geelong,” Maher said.
“He’s got no weight and looks well-weighted and he’s in great order.
“I’ve changed the bit on him. He has grabbed the bit in past, but I’m confident he will relax and run very well.
“He’s got that X-factor. I think he’s the right horse, with no weight and hopefully we can sneak him into The Cup.”
Maher and his team have been bullish with Gilded Water’s credentials heading towards the Melbourne Cup.
“He’s a big-strong horse, he’s got the right form, and his only blemish was last start when he went a bit fast,” Maher said.
“He needs to win, because he’s so far down the (entry) list and I think it’s a good idea what they have done with the lead-up to the Cup (ballot exemption), but they usually get in.”
While Bates is a proven front-running rider through his association with another Maher trained runner in Pride Of Jenni, the trainer said Gilded Water does not have to lead on Wednesday.
“Dec has got form on a front runner, but he’s drawn four and hopefully he doesn’t have to go out and lead,” Maher said.
Gilded Water heads the market at $2.20 ahead of last year’s Geelong Cup winner Onesmoothoperator who is again looking to win his way into the Melbourne Cup.
