Valley spin for Melbourne Cup hope

[Wandering Eyes]

The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Goldman (NZ) (Verdi) has been given a look at the Moonee Valley track where he will kick off his Melbourne Cup campaign.

Goldman is scheduled to make his spring reappearance in the Gr.2 Feehan Stakes (1600m) at Moonee Valley on September 9.

The lightly raced stayer is already assured of a start in the Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington on November 7 courtesy of his win in the Listed Roy Higgins Quality (2600m) at Flemington in March.

After starting his career in New Zealand, registering two wins and one placing from four starts, Goldman won three on the trot for Waterhouse and Bott, jumping from a benchmark 78 grade race to win at Listed level at his third start.

Goldman commenced his Melbourne Cup campaign in Sydney with three trials before heading to Melbourne last week to prepare for his first weight-for-age assignment in the Feehan.

With Jordan Childs, who rode Goldman to victory in the Roy Higgins, aboard the gelding worked over 1200m in leisurely fashion.

“He was good. He wasn’t here to break any records,” Childs said.

“He was here to have a nice workout over six furlongs, and I thought he worked quite nicely.

“He will go to the Feehan for his first-up run. The mile will probably be too short for his first-up run, but he seems in good order and his work was sharp enough and nice enough on the bridle.”

Childs said he felt Goldman had strengthened and filled out since riding him in March.

“He had a couple of trials up in Sydney and has come down to Melbourne in good stead,” Childs said.

“Getting around The Valley is going to be a little difficult for him because he’s so big, but he didn’t give me any indication that he won’t.

“He’s always been a fine sort of horse, but he feels like he has strengthened up a little bit.”

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