Liam Howley targets VRC St Leger success for Valiant Sun

Liam Howley, the trainer, has prioritised extended trips for three-year-old Valiant Sun in his program.

Saturday brings the premier staying test for Victorian three-year-olds, the Listed VRC St Leger (2800m) at Flemington, with Valiant Sun entered to compete.

The gelding will confront 16 competitors from the second widest stall, seeking his second triumph in eight attempts.

"I've always looked at him like he was going to stay a long way," Howley said.

"He's lacked that turn of foot but he's slowly developing a little bit of speed about him.

"He can run time, but he's got to build through the gears and the whole way through, the Leger has been the main goal.

"If he had shown a bit more speed along the way, maybe he could have been a Derby horse, but I think in his past two runs at a mile-and-a-half, every bit of the trip is important.

"Caulfield last time, he drew well, but the track played against us, but I still thought he ran very well and the bigger track at Flemington should suit him."

This campaign, Valiant Sun opened with a victory at 1600m in Colac during February, followed by a last-place effort over 2000m at Pakenham.

Rather than gradual increases, Howley promptly elevated Valiant Sun to 2400m, yielding third at Bendigo against open company and then fourth at Caulfield on April 11.

"I thought we'd step up quickly rather than go a mile, mile, 2000 metres," Howley said.

"There weren't enough options and he's a natural stayer, so I thought let's get him out to his comfort zone, and every time we've raised the bar, he's stepped up."

Pace dynamics have worked against Valiant Sun to date, according to Howley, who expects a true-run 2800m on Flemington's broader track.

A solid showing on Saturday could see the gelding nominated for the Group 1 South Australian Derby (2500m) at Morphettville seven days later, Howley indicated.

"He'll be entered and if he happened to win, we would consider it," Howley said.

"He's still quite dumb and doesn't really know what day of the week it is, and the further the better with him.

"I'm looking forward to next year with him when he's a bit more mature and those longer races are going to suit him."

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