It’s grand final day for Middle Earth and he might need some help from an unlikely source.
Following a plain 9th in the Turnbull after missing the start by about four lengths, trainer Ciaron Maher has always had the gelding set to peak for the Caulfield Cup.
Jockey Mark Zahra is confident the 6-year-old can go close – provided he jumps cleanly.
“Yeah, we’ve got to work that out,” Zahra said.
“They did a lot of work on him early in the prep and he was jumping well in his first couple of runs. But that day, he just got a bit agitated. Whether it was the heat or the occasion, he got hot and bothered, I don’t know.”
To ensure a clean getaway, Zahra reckons he might call on one of his preferred barrier attendants.
“I’ll make sure we’ve got one of the good barrier boys with him. It’s important. You can’t miss the start like he did last time and still be a chance – so let’s hope he gets it right.”
Aside from the barrier hiccup, there’s growing optimism that Middle Earth can perform.
“I think he’s going really well. Ciaron [Maher] had this race as the target all along. It’s all been about getting him spot on for the Caulfield Cup.”
‘’It’s his day to do something, and I think if he puts it all together, he will.
‘’On his best form, he’s very good, if we get it together – we can win.
“We’ve just been trying to get him used to going past horses and being in front. So today we sat off them, got his head in front, and then he had a bit of a look around – he’s a bit of a lad.”
