Trainer Mark Kavanagh expects two gear changes will bring out the best in Maldivian in Saturday's Caulfield Cup.The six-year-old gelding will wear a cross-over noseband and tongue tie in an attempt to reignite his career after being unable to find winning form in five runs this campaign.Maldivian disappointed Kavanagh with his last-start sixth to Littorio in the Turnbull Stakes (2000m) at Flemington two weeks ago but he is confident the horse can acquit himself well in the Cup."I have seen a rem

Trainer Mark Kavanagh expects two gear changes will bring out the best in Maldivian in Saturday's Caulfield Cup.

The six-year-old gelding will wear a cross-over noseband and tongue tie in an attempt to reignite his career after being unable to find winning form in five runs this campaign.

Maldivian disappointed Kavanagh with his last-start sixth to Littorio in the Turnbull Stakes (2000m) at Flemington two weeks ago but he is confident the horse can acquit himself well in the Cup.

"I have seen a remarkable improvement with the gear changes and I'm more than happy with the way he's going into this race," Kavanagh said.

"He is every bit as good as last year and the gear changes have made the difference."

Maldivian came closest to winning this campaign when he was beaten a long neck when second to Weekend Hussler in the Memsie Stakes (1400m).

He was also third in the Liston Stakes (1400m) and fourth in both the Dato' Tan Chin Nam Stakes (1600m) and Underwood Stakes (1800m).

Leading up to last year's Caulfield Cup Maldivian won the Yalumba Stakes and was a raging favourite after he drew barrier one.

He was considered by many as unbeatable from the inside draw but it turned out to be his downfall with him slashing his neck on camera equipment in the stall and having to be scratched at the barrier.

On Wednesday, Kavanagh was dismissive at the Caulfield Cup barrier draw when Maldivian's drew gate 18.

"I don't worry about the barriers and I don't worry about the weather because I don't have any control over any of them," Kavanagh said.

He said last year's barrier mishap underlined the folly of trying to pick horses from barriers.

"Everyone said barrier one last year was pretty good but it turned out not to be," Kavanagh said.

"Who cares if a horse has won from barrier 18 or not," Kavanagh said.

"Impossible is only the name for something until somebody does it."

Lord Reims (1987) is the only horse to win from barrier 18.

New Zealander Red Ruler has drawn barrier one on Saturday but his connections need not worry as there will be no camera equipment in the gate this year.

Beaulivre (1940) and Velocity (1941) are the only two horses to win the Cup from barrier one.