Landscape Changes But Kav Confident
Friday, 17 October 2008:  | | Photo by Racing and Sports |
He was dominating the spring carnival with group 1 wins from Devil Moon, Divine Madonna and Maldivian.
The latter was sent out a short priced favourite in the Caulfield Cup and looked a strong chance of adding to the dream run but had his now infamous tangle with the Caulfield gates and was scratched from the race.
After such a prominent spring, it was surprising to hear Kavanagh wasn't particularly confident about Maldivian continuing the fairytale to a Caulfield Cup win.
“It was a very important spring for the stable being our first here at Flemington and it couldn't have worked out better,” Kavanagh said.
“But the hype around Maldivian really never sat comfortably with me and leading up to the race I was worried he would let everybody down.
“It's a shame every time the Caulfield Cup gets brought up people think about that incident but we're going to have to live with it.”
12 months on, and Maldivian isn't racing as well as last year but Kavanagh is confident of a better showing in tomorrow's race.
Aside from appreciating the extra distance and a couple of gear changes, the trainer believes he is going as well within himself in his appearance and work so remains optimistic.
Some would say this spring hasn't been one to remember for the stable. Aside from Maldivian struggling to recapture his best form, Divine Madonna has obviously gone to be a broodmare, and now Devil Moon joins her.
The mare, who has had a long history with hoof problems, has run her last race according to Kavanagh after the decision was made to send her to stud.
But Kavanagh looks on the bright side and finds solice in two of his younger stars, Caulfield Guineas winner Whobegotyou and Thousand Guineas runner-up Cats Whisker.
The pair are only now getting to their right distances according to the stable so there is plenty to look forward to.
“It was always going to be a hard spring for us after last year, knowing Divine Madonna was gone, knowing Devil Moon wouldn't be around forever, and hoping we could get another chance with Maldivian.
“We needed to find a couple of younger horses because we certainly didn't want to be known as a one season wonder.
“Some people talk about how bad it's been this year but we've won a Caulfield Guineas and finished second in the Thousand Guineas with two very good young horses, so it hasn't been too bad.”
Whobegotyou will next run in the AAMI Vase at Moonee Valley before the Victoria Derby, while Cats Whisker will tackle the Wakeful Stakes on her way to the Crown Oaks.
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