A potential final lead-up into the Melbourne Cup 2024 field takes place under the lights at The Valley on Cox Plate Eve this Friday night with the Group 2 $750,000 Ladbrokes Moonee Valley Gold Cup (2500m) lighting up the cauldron.
Ten stayers face off in this year’s Moonee Valley Gold Cup field with a number eyeing a potential run at Flemington on Tuesday November 5 in the time-honoured Group 1 $8.56 million Lexus Melbourne Cup (3200m).
Although no horse since Kingston Rule (1990) has completed the Moonee Valley Gold Cup – Melbourne Cup double in the same year, the dream remains alive for a host of the final acceptors in the former this Friday evening.
Sitting top of the current Moonee Valley Gold Cup odds online at race sponsor Ladbrokes.com.au is the Chris Waller-trained Francesco Guardi who won the event back in 2022.
The now seven-year-old son of Frankel pays $3.80 to salute for a second time, and success would see him become the first two-time champion since Precedence (2010 and 2013).
James McDonald has the mount from barrier nine in his first ride aboard the horse since the disappointing second last (17th) to Without A Fight in last year’s Caulfield Cup.
Most recently Francesco Guardi, who is after his first turf triumph since this race two years ago, was seen crossing four lengths back seventh in the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) and there’s money for him to break his lengthy winning drought.
Waller has prepared three past Moonee Valley Gold Cup winners and along with Francesco Guardi also saddles-up Manzoice ($20), scratched from Wednesday’s Geelong Cup in favour of this assignment, in barrier four with Brazilian Joao Moreira riding.
It is currently a wide-open Moonee Valley Gold Cup betting market with four other runners outside the favourite at single-figures including last start Group 3 The Bart Cummings winner Just Fine ($5.50).
Just Fine is locked in for a Melbourne Cup bid next month and gets a chance to collect a Group 2 trophy on his way to the world’s richest handicap from gate 10 of 10 on Friday night.
Jordan Childs rides the Sea The Stars gelding on 58kg for Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott.
The Waterhouse & Bott partnership launch a two-pronged assault with Serpentine ($6.50) drawn the rails and looking to atone for a last start 12th in the Group 1 The Metropolitan (2400m) behind subsequent Caulfield Cup third placegetter Land Legend.
The other hopes under $10 for the win are Brayden Star ($7) coming off a good fourth in the Group 2 Herbert Power at Caulfield and Ciaron Maher‘s lightly raced import Saint George ($7) having his fourth run in Australia.
Caulfield Cup scratching Positivity is another standout in this year’s Moonee Valley Gold Cup field with the Group 3 Naturalism Stakes mare out to improve on her The Bart Cummings seventh.
Ladbrokes Moonee Valley Gold Cup 2024 Odds
| Runner Details | Win | Place |
|---|---|---|
|
1. Sharp 'N' Smart (5)
J: Craig Williams 59kg
T: Team Rogerson |
||
| Most recently 13th of 16 at Flemington in the G1 Turnbull on October 5 over 2000m, on a slow track; 10 len behind Via Sistina with 55kg at $26. The run before that 2nd of 8 at Te Rapa Hcp on September 15 over 1600m, on rain affected going; long-neck behind Islington Lass carrying 63.5kg at $5.50. Forgive last start but still not sure. | ||
|
2. Just Fine (10)
J: Jordan Childs 58kg
T: G Waterhouse & A Bott |
||
| Useful type. At the latest run won by a head at Flemington G3 Bart Cummings October 5 over 2520m on a rain affected track defeating Point King with 57kg at $21. The start before that did the work up front then tired 10th of 15 at Caulfield in the G3 Naturalism on September 21 over 2000m, 4.5 len behind Positivity carrying 58.5kg at $11. Will take plenty of catching around here. | ||
|
3. Serpentine (1)
J: Blake Shinn 56.5kg
T: G Waterhouse & A Bott |
||
| Third-up today and won third-up previously. First-up 4th of 16 at Randwick in the G3 King Town on September 21 over 2000m, 3.5 len behind Eliyass carrying 56kg at $26. Second run from a spell couldn't go on with it; 12th of 17 at Randwick in the G1 The Metrop on October 5 over 2400m, 8 len behind Land Legend with 55kg at $14. Can take catching. | ||
|
4. Manzoice (4)
J: Joao Moreira 55kg
T: Chris Waller |
||
| Last start 10th of 13 at Flemington in the G3 Bart Cummings on October 5 over 2520m, slow going 4.5 len behind Just Fine carrying 54.5kg at $6.50. The start before that raced on speed throughout when 3rd of 8 at Wyong in the LR Wyong Cup on September 6 over 2100m, 1.3 len behind Lion's Roar carrying 56kg at $4.50. Needed to see more last time. | ||
|
5. Francesco Guardi (9)
J: James McDonald 55kg
T: Chris Waller |
||
| Useful type. At the latest run 7th of 16 at Flemington in the G1 Turnbull on October 5 over 2000m, on a slow track; 4 len behind Via Sistina carrying 55kg at $61. The run before that got back early 9th of 15 at Caulfield in the G3 Naturalism on September 21 over 2000m, 3.5 len behind Positivity with 58kg at $21. Working up to a win. Hit the line well last time and his best win came in this race in 2022. | ||
|
6. Brayden Star (2)
J: Luke Currie 55kg
T: Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young |
||
| Last start 4th of 15 at Caulfield in the G2 Herbert Power on October 12 over 2400m, 2.5 len behind Herman Hesse carrying 53kg at $8.50. The start before that sat on the speed and boxed on steadily 3rd of 7 at Benalla Blla Cup on September 27 over 2100m, 1.5 len behind Suizuro with 56.5kg at $10. Going okay, not the worst. | ||
|
7. Okita Soushi (6)
J: Billy Egan 55kg
T: Ciaron Maher |
||
| Most recently led but faded 2nd of 15 at Caulfield in the G2 Herbert Power on October 12 over 2400m, 1.3 len behind Herman Hesse with 54.5kg at $41. The start before that second last of 15 at Caulfield in the G3 Naturalism on September 21 over 2000m, 9 len behind Positivity carrying 55kg at $101. Better last time, if he can repeat it he's in the mix. | ||
|
8. Saint George (8)
J: Michael Dee 55kg
T: Ciaron Maher |
||
| Useful type. Last start 9th of 13 at Flemington in the G3 Bart Cummings on October 5 over 2520m, slow going 4.5 len behind Just Fine with 54kg at $6.50. Before that 4th of 15 at Caulfield in the G3 Naturalism on September 21 over 2000m, neck behind Positivity with 54kg at $4.50. Just fair last time but can improve again. | ||
|
9. Haaracaine (3)
J: Jamie Mott 55kg
T: Nick Ryan |
||
| Third-up today and won third-up previously. Resuming won by a head at Flemington Bm70 September 22 over 1630m defeating Callmeanicon carrying 60.5kg at $13. Second run from a spell 8th of 15 at Caulfield in the G2 Herbert Power on October 12 over 2400m, 5.5 len behind Herman Hesse carrying 53kg at $7.50. Others read better. Happy to overlook. | ||
|
10. Positivity (7)
J: Jye McNeil 52.5kg
T: Andrew Forsman |
||
| Most recently 7th of 13 at Flemington in the G3 Bart Cummings on October 5 over 2520m, on a slow track; 2.5 len behind Just Fine carrying 54.5kg at $14. Before that won by a head at Caulfield G3 Naturalism September 21 over 2000m defeating Future History with 54kg at $16. Good staying mare who should be in the finish. | ||
Data retrieved: 23/10/2024 03:12 PM (Australia/Brisbane)
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Race comments
FRANCESCO GUARDI (5) looks nicely placed here. He won this race dominantly by 3.8 lengths in 2022 and looks to be right on track this year, hitting the line nicely in the G1 Turnbull Stakes behind live Cox Plate chance Via Sistina. He's going to be back in the run but the pace looks strong and he'll be very hard to hold out. JUST FINE (2) was given a great ride to win the Bart Cummings at Flemington, opening up a lead into the straight and kicking well to hold on. He'll be hard to catch. POSITIVITY (10) was scratched from the Caulfield Cup with a small issue. She was okay in the Bart Cummings and has claims. SAINT GEORGE (8) was poor in the Bart Cummings but could be an improver. SERPENTINE (3) was good fresh and should be ready to fire now.