After a winless winter campaign, the veteran gelding’s career isn’t finished yet and he’ll return to defend his Idyllic Prince Stakes (1300m) crown on August 24.
Trainer Simon Miller said Valour Road is on song for his first-up run, albeit he’s mindful the nine-year-old is reaching the latter stages of a wonderful career.
“He trialed good and is on a race-by-race scenario,” Miller said to Racing WA.
“When he’s had enough, we’ll retire him, but if he’s still going around good, we’ll keep going.
“He’ll go to the Idyllic and if he still has the zest, we’ll push on to the summer carnival.
“Whether you go a Eurythmic, a Lee Steere and Gold Rush, they are all suitable races.
“He’s fine, you’re just watching him because he’s been around the block.
“I’ll let him go out on his own terms.”
Valour Road has been a wonderful asset for Miller’s team from the get-go.
The son of Frost Giant made a spectacular start to his racing journey by winning the Magic Millions WA 2YO Classic (1200m) and Karrakatta Plate (1200m) from his first two starts.
He reached Group 2 status twice, successful in the Euclase Stakes (1200m) in Adelaide, when leading all the way and the Lee Steere Stakes (1400m) at Ascot.
His haul of stakes victories also includes the Group 3 Prince Of Wales Stakes (1000m), Group 3 Hyperion Stakes (1600m) and Group 3 AJ Scahill Stakes (1400m).
The quality galloper’s current record stands at 11 wins and eight placings from 38 starts for $1.6 million in prizemoney.
Valour Road made a grand return to win last year’s Idyllic Prince Stakes, scoring first-up after a 15-month break.
Valour Road has not raced since being unplaced in the Belmont Sprint (1400m) and Hyperion Stakes in June.
Meanwhile, Kalgoorlie plans are set for Miller’s Darby Racing acquisition, Iowa after the Irish import scored at Belmont last Saturday.
The seven-year-old proved too strong over 2100m, leading all the way for jockey, Chris Parnham, in the Vale Pat Oliver Handicap, his first win in Perth at his second start.
“He’ll go to a Boulder Cup (2100m) and Kalgoorlie Cup (2300m),” Miller said.
“He’ll spin around and go again in three weeks.”
The Boulder Cup is on September 22 and the Kalgoorlie Cup on October 5.