Trainer Ciaron Maher has his eyes firmly on the Geelong Cup (2400m) with Gilded Water, but a wet and windy forecast means he’s keeping a back-up plan in place for the Moonee Valley Gold Cup (2500m) later in the week.
With damaging winds and up to 15mm of rain predicted for Geelong on Wednesday, Maher has accepted for both races but is hopeful conditions will hold up for Gilded Water to take his place at Geelong. “If the weather stays, he will run at Geelong,” Maher said. “He’s got no weight, looks well-weighted, and he’s in great order.”
The royal-owned stayer, raced by His Majesty The King, needs to win this week to secure a ballot exemption into the Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington on November 4. Both the Geelong Cup and Moonee Valley Gold Cup offer a golden ticket to The Cup.
Gilded Water heads into Wednesday’s race after finishing third in The Bart Cummings (2500m) earlier this month, where he set a fast tempo before being run down late. Maher has made a key gear change for the Geelong assignment, fitting a norton bit and engaging Declan Bates to replace Jamie Kah in the saddle.
“He’s grabbed the bit in the past, but I’m confident he’ll relax and run very well,” Maher said. “He’s got that X-factor. I think he’s the right horse, with no weight, and hopefully we can sneak him into The Cup.”
Maher remains confident in the gelding’s Cup credentials despite needing a win to climb the order of entry. “He’s a big, strong horse with the right form. His only blemish was last start when he went a bit fast,” he said. “He needs to win because he’s so far down the list, but I think it’s a good idea what they’ve done with the ballot exemptions — they usually get in.”
While Bates is known for his positive rides, Maher suggested the team won’t necessarily adopt a front-running strategy. “Dec has good form on a leader, but he’s drawn four, so hopefully he doesn’t have to go out and lead,” he said.
Gilded Water sits as the $2.20 favourite for the Geelong Cup, ahead of last year’s winner Onesmoothoperator, who will again look to earn his way into the Melbourne Cup.