Trainer Mark Kavanagh impressed with colt Chivalry's big win at Moonee Valley
Jockey Stephen Baster steers talented colt Chivalry to victory at Moonee Valley. Picture: Getty
Source: Getty Images
TRAINER Mark Kavanagh must decide to go for immediate millions or wait for the classic year of talented colt Chivalry, impressive winner of the Quest Moonee Valley Plate yesterday.
The two-year-old son of Street Cry was shunted back at the start of the 1000m dash before jockey Stephen Baster gained an inside run and a gap to storm to the post.
"That was a really big win," Kavanagh said. "He missed the start, got checked and still won over probably an unsuitable distance of 1000m."
Kavanagh described the colt as "a really nice horse, very imposing" and said he was still in the running for Victoria's richest juvenile event, the Group 1 $1 million Blue Diamond Stakes at Caulfield on February 22.
"We have had in mind for some time that he will be a better three-year-old. We need to work out whether we go forward now or wait until he is three. He will let us know when he pulls up," Kavanagh said.
"I will give him a week in the paddock, run in the (Blue Diamond) Prelude and then the Blue Diamond at his fourth (career) start," he suggested as one of the options. Another is to have a spell for a couple of months and be prepared for his classic season.
Kavanagh also confirmed that Chivalry was entered for the Group 1 Golden Slipper in Sydney during the autumn.
"With a two-year-old who can do that at this time of year you must consider the Diamond and Slipper," he said.
Baster described the win as "a track gallop" and said had he not suffered the several bits of interference the colt would have "won easily".
"I was zigging and zagging on him to get the run. Obviously he is not a 1000m horse and I can't wait until he gets out to 1200m," Baster said.
Chivalry ($3.20) had one-and-three-quarter lengths to spare from the Team Hawkes-trained Bugatty ($9), with a long-head back to I A Snippety ($14).
The $2.50 race favourite, South Australian debutant Éclair Choice, trained by Phillip Stokes, ran fourth throughout and finished there.
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