The Ciaron Maher-trained Kings Valley has earned a ballot exemption into the Caulfield Cup after a fighting win at Mornington.
Success in the Listed Mornington Cup on Saturday provides the winner with a ‘Golden Ticket’ into the Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) in October.
Saturday’s victory was Maher’s second in the Mornington Cup after Right You Are scored in 2023 later going on to run fifth in the Caulfield Cup six months later.
Ridden by Lachlan Neindorf, Kings Valley ($6.50) scored by a head from Pounding ($10) with Suntora ($10) a further 1-¼ lengths away third.
Jack Turnbull, National Assistant Trainer for the Maher stable, said Saturday’s victory may just be the making of Kings Valley.
“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.”
With the ‘Golden Ticket’ secured for the Caulfield Cup, Turnbull said the team would have a discussion as to the best way for Kings Valley to get to the feature race.
He said he was unsure whether Maher would pull up stumps or keep working on the stayer to improve his racing manner.
“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 rose in the saddle after crossing the line and said the win means a lot, even more than his two Group 1 victories in his home state of 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.”
