Madison Valley romped home in his single Betway Summer Cup preparation run in a Conditions Plate over 1400m at Hollywoodbets Greyville on October 19 (Candiese Lenferna Photography)
Frank Robinson is happy with the well-being of Madison Valley, who is looking well handicapped for the Gr 1 R6 million Betway Summer Cup, and will not run him again before the big race on November 29.
There was a Conditions Plate available for him at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Friday, but it is being avoided.
Frank said, “I don’t want to get another penalty. He is fit, he is well, I think it is the best I have ever had him, he’s flying. Last year I won the Michaelmas with him and didn’t run him again before the Summer Cup and he should have won the Summer Cup, so I’ll just keep to the same sort of route.”
Last year Madison Valley carried 54kg off a 110 merit rating and after being dropped out from a wide draw he made up an immense amount of ground to be beaten just 2,35 lengths into fourth place.
This year he will carry 54,5kg, as things stand, off his 116 merit rating.
“He has improved with gelding too,” said Frank.
He added, “The fact I have Craig Zackey aboard makes a big difference too.”
Madison Valley received 3kg from Royal Victory last year and beat him by 0,65 lengths and this year he receive 4,5kg from him.
However, Royal Victory did give Madison Valley 5kg in the Holywoodbets Durban July and beat him by half-a-length.
See It Again comes out well with Madison Valley on last year’s Summer Cup as things stand.
He gave Madison Valley 6kg last year and lost to him by a long-head and this year he only gives him 4,5kg.
Madison Valley, a five-year-old Clifton Stud-bred gelding by Mambo In Seattle, is currrently an 11/1 shot in the ante-post market with the sponsor.
