Valiant King has thrust himself back into Melbourne Cup discussions after a powerful staying display to land The Bart Cummings (2520m) at Flemington.

As a noted qualifier, The Bart Cummings grants the winner a coveted ballot exemption into the Melbourne Cup (3200m) on November 4.

A Cup runner last year when 13th behind Knight’s Choice, the gelding has been plotted on a different path this spring. After finishing last when resuming over 1500m in Sydney, trainer Chris Waller switched him to Melbourne, topping him off with a Flemington jump-out ahead of Saturday’s assignment.

The team weighed up the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) but ultimately targeted The Bart Cummings and its ‘Golden Ticket’ incentive.

Given a patient steer by Jye McNeil, Valiant King ($61) relished the genuine tempo, surging late to score by 2-¾ lengths over Torranzino ($71) with the $2.15 favourite Gilded Water a neck away in third.

Ridden positively by Jamie Kah, Gilded Water ensured a strong gallop—at one stage clearing out by a conservative seven lengths—only to be reeled in over the final 200m.

Charlie Duckworth, representing the Waller yard, said the tempo played to their advantage but admitted fitness was their lingering query.

“Fitness was our biggest concern which is why he held a nomination in the Turnbull as well as this,” Duckworth said.

“He was much better suited to this in terms of grade and also distance.

“We were really unlucky to miss the Sydney Cup in the autumn when he had a minor foot issue leading into it and we just thought he was primed and ready to go, but hey, it will be much better to win a Melbourne Cup than a Sydney Cup.”

McNeil admitted that catching the tearaway leader looked a stretch turning for home.

“I thought we had a big task ahead of us,” McNeil said.

“I was able to get in that three-wide line following Mark Zahra (on Berkshire Breeze), and you know when you find the back of a good jockey like that you’re going to be taken to the right places.

“Even when I straightened and he quickened so well, I still thought we were too far off the leader, but he reeled it in really well and it was great to be on him.”

Already a Melbourne Cup winner, McNeil hopes to retain the partnership come the first Tuesday in November.

“He’ll run well anyway,” McNeil said.

“I’ve won that race once before, so you never know.”

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