That or change the lower cup to ZS44/30. The latter looks better, but it changes the geometry slightly so you need to decide whether you like that idea.
would the sequence be EC44/40 lower cup > reducer > 1 1/8 crown race?
No, it's EC44/40 lower, 1½" crown race, reducer. The reducer is just a top hat bush which presses onto the 30mm diameter on the fork an provides a 40mm diameter to mount the 1½" crown race.
That or change the lower cup to ZS44/30. The latter looks better, but it changes the geometry slightly so you need to decide whether you like that idea.