Trainer keen on Maldivian's St George chances

Story By Jason Hickson

Monday, 18 February 2008: A fortnight ago Kavanagh was warning all and sundry that Maldivian was a risk over 1400m and second-up when he contested the Group 1 C.F. Orr Stakes.

The in-form trainer was proven right after Maldivian sat midfield throughout but couldn't quicken with his rivals, finishing 13th behind Shinzig.

This Saturday, though, Kavanagh expects to see a different Maldivian who comes into the race with three runs under his belt and will appreciate the longer journey.

Maldivian has had three third-up runs, winning the first two over a mile before a head second over 2000m behind Douro Valley in the Naturalism Stakes last time in.

Kavanagh said while the five-year-old is not fully wound up just yet, he is expected big improvement over the longer journey.

The run, though, will have him primed for his autumn mission – where he remains the $3.00 favourite with Sportingbet for the Group 1 Australian Cup on March 8.

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