Here's my take on this event. Your sweet Maya understood that the new toy you left for her was what you were looking for, and she remembered where she had "knocked it to" so that you would play with her, with it. I don't know that cats can determine what is important to you - just what is important to them! The coincidence was that both of you thought the ring/new toy was important at the same time!

My guys think that when a guest comes in to the house, that it is time to play with their fishing pole with the mouse on the end. They hound me until I get it out and play with them. This stems from me showing guests, early on, how crazy they get with the fishing pole. I started a monster. It is learned behavior - and now I am always reminded how little they forget!