Maher's Victoria Derby defence gears up at Caulfield

The pursuit of a second successive Victoria Derby win for Ciaron Maher is intensifying this weekend, as his top two colts prepare for their final hit-outs before the $3 million Group 1 feature.

Vallice and Skua are scheduled to compete in the $240,000 Group 3 Sportsbet Classic over 2000 metres at Caulfield on October 31. This race serves as the opener for the Caulfield Cup Day program, and it follows Maher's 2023 Derby triumph with Observer.

Jack Turnbull, the national assistant trainer for Maher, indicated that the Victoria Derby has been a long-term objective for both Vallice and Skua.

"We've got other horses on the fringe, but in terms of winning the race, you couldn't go past Vallice or Skua of our team," Turnbull commented. "Skua is a genuine staying horse, he probably wants to be ridden on-speed because he'll lengthen, whereas Vallice is more dynamic and has a good turn of foot."

Vallice last competed in the Listed Super Impose Stakes (1800m) at Flemington, where he was the leading colt and gelding, finishing 2-1/2 lengths behind the dominant winner, Miss Waititi.

This event was the fourth start of Vallice's campaign and his first time securing a placing this season. He is a colt by Maurice, the sire of Maher's first Victoria Derby winner, Hitotsu, and his dam is a German mare by Guiliani.

"We were trying to ride him a bit closer that day, but how circumstances unfolded he got back and it actually was perfect like a Derby trial up in trip," Turnbull elaborated.

In the Super Impose Stakes, Vallice finished four lengths and four positions ahead of Skua. However, Turnbull was understanding of the latter's performance, attributing it to a difficult run.

"He had a bit of a tricky run last start, he was wide and got out of position, but his work late was good on possibly an unfavourable track," Turnbull advised. "He's shifted down to Cranbourne since, we've given him a few good bits of work and I think the change of environment is going to help have him spot on. The further he goes up in the distance the better I think he will go."

Both Maher's colts have drawn the outer barriers in the nine-runner Caulfield Classic. Ethan Brown is set to ride Skua from barrier 9, his inaugural ride on the colt, while Mark Zahra will continue his association with Vallice from barrier 8.

Get the latest racing odds on the upcoming Caulfield Classic and other major races at leading Australian betting sites.