Racing: Gold Edition prefers spring

MELBOURNE - Queensland Horse of the Year Gold Edition has continued to please trainer Ron Maund ahead of her spring return in the Ian McEwen Trophy at Moonee Valley on Saturday.

Gold Edition arrived safely on Thursday and was given a rousing gallop at Caulfield on Saturday.

"She left Sydney by float last Wednesday and she's thrived since she's been in Melbourne," Maund said. "She did some fast work at Caulfield and I couldn't be happier with her."

Maund, who was also named Queensland Trainer of the Year at the annual Queensland Racing awards on Friday, plans to send Gold Edition back to Sydney after the group one Manikato Stakes (1200m) on September 15 for a short break before returning to Melbourne.

Her main Melbourne mission will be the A$1 million ($1.14 million) group one weight-for-age Age Classic down Flemington's straight 1200m track on the final day of the Melbourne Cup carnival on November 10.

Damien Oliver has been booked to ride Gold Edition in both the McEwen Trophy (1000m) and Manikato but no jockey has been engaged beyond those races.

The daughter of Lion Hunter has not started since turning in the worst run of her career when 15th to Nova Star in the Winter Stakes (1400m) at Eagle Farm on June 23.

Gold Edition was troubled by wet tracks during the recent Brisbane winter carnival.

- AAP