With Valiant Sun, trainer Liam Howley seeks out stamina-testing races for the three-year-old.
On Saturday, Victoria’s top three-year-old distance event, the Listed VRC St Leger (2800m), unfolds at Flemington as Valiant Sun steps forward.
From the second widest barrier, Valiant Sun meets 16 foes in pursuit of win number two from eight starts.
“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.”
Valiant Sun returned this season triumphant over 1600m at Colac in February, then faltered to last over 2000m at Pakenham.
Howley accelerated the gelding’s progression to 2400m, securing third against elders at Bendigo and a creditable 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.”
Howley believes race tempo has disadvantaged Valiant Sun previously, favouring a strong gallop over 2800m at the spacious Flemington.
If Valiant Sun shines Saturday, a trip to the Group 1 South Australian Derby (2500m) at Morphettville next week remains on the table, per Howley.
“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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