Mornington Cup beckons for Kings Valley

Team Ciaron Maher has awaited the perfect moment to stretch Kings Valley out over further ground.

Such a moment presents itself with the Listed Mornington Cup (2400m) scheduled for Saturday.

Initially listed as the first reserve upon Wednesday's field declaration, Kings Valley secured a spot in the 14-runner event after Plymouth was scratched.

Jack Turnbull, National Assistant Trainer for the Maher outfit, indicated that how Kings Valley positions himself at the start will shape his prospects.

Kings Valley took out the Bairnsdale Cup (1600m) a month ago and was ninth most recently in the Group 3 Easter Cup (2000m) held at Caulfield on April 4.

"We thought his run was good," Turnbull said.

"We had to go back from the gate and the way the track was playing it made it difficult and tricky, but the work he put in, we were very pleased with how he went.

"The thing is this week, we're up in trip from that 2000 (metres) to the 2400 (metres) and the question mark will be whether he relaxes.

"He can be fierce, but he's not a slow horse. He's got a very good turn of foot, so we've got to work him down a bit into the run.

"I think if he stays on, and relaxes, he's a good chance as this is his future."

Kings Valley previously succeeded at Sandown going 2100m, and this represents his next shot at 2400m after placing fifth of six at Caulfield in October last year.

He entered a spell right after that performance and has resumed in fine fettle.

"I think he's got the profile, he's got the page, and everything else to get 2400 (metres), but it has been a matter of when," Turnbull said.

"Arguably we could have waited and gone to another benchmark race, but it's a Caulfield Cup qualifier, a rich race and it gives us a chance.

"We've drawn a good gate to smother him up and I think he can run a forward race for us."

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