Maldivian made it 3 wins out of 3 starts at the Moonee Valley Racing Club yesterday, producing a scintillating run to win the Cox Plate, Australia’s most prestigious weight-for-age handicap.

Mark Kavanagh, one of Australia’s top trainers, prepared Maldivian for the race by putting blinkers on his runner then schooling him over jumps.

“Everyone was telling me how to train him and I had to stay focused,” Kavanagh said. “It was always the plan to school him over jumps and put the blinkers on for the Cox Plate and I did exactly as I said I would.”

“And he loves Moonee Valley. Horses that love the track excel at it so I was very happy going into the race. I was just waiting for the right time to play the trump card.”

Zipping took 2nd place in the Cox Plate, ahead of ante-post favourite Samantha Miss, who came home a disappointing third. Kiwi raider, Princess Coup, never looked like finishing in the top three and arrived at the finishing post in 9th place.