Ciaron Maher stayer Sayedaty Sadaty takes next step towards Caulfield Cup redemption at The Valley
The in-form stayer is the pick of four runners – half the field – in the Travis Harrison Cup (2040m) for champion trainer Ciaron Maher, including Charterhouse, Relentless Voyager and Smokin' Romans.
Sayedaty Sadaty is a $3 favourite from Nellie Leylax ($5), trained by Annabel and Rob Archibald, Charterhouse ($5.50) and Relentless Voyager ($6). Smokin' Romans, the outsider of the small field, is $18.
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Sayedaty Sadaty has raced consistently in similar class races through winter, including back-to-back wins at Caulfield and Flemington most recently.
The imported stayer has purposely been held to 1800m and 2000m races the past four starts to keep speed in the legs.
A third straight run at 2000m should be no issue on Saturday at The Valley.
'We want to protect him as much as we can,' assistant trainer Jack Turnbull said.
'We had the possibility of going up to 2400m-2500m but kept him to this, then a nice break into the Archer.
'We are cautious about going out in trip too soon, just making him slower than we need to, that's something we've been mindful of, as we've been plotting a course towards The Archer.'
• Archibald duo can keep Melbourne streak going
Sayedaty Sadaty and Relentless Voyager after Saturday will head to the Melbourne Cup-qualifying Group 3 The Archer Stakes (2500m) at Flemington on September 13.
Sayedaty Sadaty finished-third last in the Caulfield Cup last year, his first run for Maher, as an entire and after a long European campaign.
The decision to geld the talented galloper early in the year has turned his form around and reignited Cups ambitions.
'His race would be a Caulfield Cup again,' Turnbull said.
'He's a much more furnished, conditioned staying horse this time around.'
Sayedaty Sadaty is set to roll forward from barrier six but not necessarily lead on Saturday.
'He'd be the pick (of our runners) off exposed form,' Turnbull said.
'He's in great shape … he would assume a forward position, we're not out there to lead or be there by any means but you would be safe to say he's going to be first four (in the run).'
Maher fielded six runners in the Travis Harrison Cup last year but managed only a third place.
Eventual Caulfield Cup winner Duke De Sessa finished fifth in the Travis Harrison Cup last year.
Charterhouse could contest the lead on Saturday from barrier three, along with Smokin' Romans.
• Brad Waters' The Valley Saturday tips, race-by-race analysis
Relentless Voyager is expected to settle back in the field and finish off.
Maher has 12 runners engaged at The Valley including smart colt Oyster Lane in the (1000m) 3YO Open Handicap.
Oyster Lane has placed second in two career starts, bloused by progressive Sonofkirk and Shining Smile, a three-time Listed winner.
'He's run a couple of very good races but unfortunately still a maiden,' Turnbull said.
'He's a nice colt and will have his day, hopefully it's this weekend.'
'You're getting beaten a head and a neck, Hayes's horse (Shining Smile) is a three-time stake-winner and the time before that Freedman's (Sonofkirk) is a well-performed animal as well.
'He's not being beaten by nothing … we know we've got a pretty talented colt and hopefully he does win that maiden and you're then setting up to run in (stakes) races.'
Gilbert Gardiner
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Gilbert Gardiner is a sports reporter for the Herald Sun and Sunday Herald Sun.
@gilbertgardiner
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