Racing: Can Kavanagh fairytale continue?

Mark Kavanagh is living a childhood dream as he prepares the raging favourite Maldivian for tomorrow's Caulfield Cup.

The absence of New South Wales and Queensland horses because of the equine influenza (EI) outbreak in those states may have depleted the spring carnival competition.

But who is to say that even with their inclusion they would have derailed the 50-year-old trainer's recent success?

Two weeks ago it was Devil Moon, a four-year-old mare who was considered good but labelled outstanding after the spotlight hit her after her outstanding win in the Turnbull Stakes at Flemington.

Last Saturday, Kavanagh doubled up with Divine Madonna winning the group one Toorak Handicap only minutes after Maldivian enhanced his chances for the Caulfield Cup by winning the group one Yalumba Stakes.

Kavanagh has hardly had time to catch his breath and the news just continues to get better.

Maldivian could have drawn a wide gate to breathe new life into the Caulfield Cup market but instead drew barrier one just to ice the cake.

"It's a childhood dream," Kavanagh said. "Things are pretty good at the moment."