Maher: Everything needs to go Trip's way

Leading trainer Ciaron Maher admits Cox Plate contender Gold Trip 'would need everything to go his way' in Saturday's Group 1 at The Valley.

But don't be deterred punters, because Maher also believes a win in the race 'wouldn't be beyond him'.

The Melbourne Cup winner backs up from Saturday's enormous run in the Caulfield Cup and Maher couldn't be happier with his stable star.

The former import, who was purchased to run in the 2021 Cox Plate, was unlucky in last year's edition. And that run is still in the back of Maher's mind when assessing his horse's chances on Saturday.

"He was a bit unlucky last year. The Valley is a lot different to Flemington, where he was quite dynamic (in the Turnbull Stakes)," Maher said.

"It's a completely different race. He would need everything to go his way, he would need that one uninterrupted run.

"But it wouldn't be beyond him."

When asked what was crucial when backing up a horse from the Caulfield Cup to a Cox Plate, Maher said it was all about recovery.

"He will get down the beach a little bit. When you're backing up in a short space of time, it's all about the preparation leading up to when you start to back up," he said.

"So he has had a really solid grounding. In the mounting yard he pulled up very well. It's about the recovery rather than what work you are doing."

Maher will also saddle up 3YO King Colorado in the race.

"He has had that 2YO prep. he's improved every run," Maher said.

"I think he will improve again out to the 2000m."

Maher won the Cox Plate behind closed doors in 2020 when there were no crowds on course.

He said to win one in front of a packed Valley would be "unbelievable".

"It's such a good race. There's no better place than The Valley," he said.