Moonee Valley Gold Cup – 2021

Track: Slow Weather: Showers

Thirteen have accepted for the race Prince Of Penzance used as his final lead up on the way to winning the 2014 Melbourne Cup.  The Freedman’s have two runners as does Flemington trainer Michael Moroney.  Three had their last start in the Bart Cummings over this distance, two ran in the Coongy Cup and two ran in The Metropolitan.  The early favourite in the betting is Floating Artist.  The six year old gelding now with the Ciaron Maher & David Eustace camp has won three times since arriving in Australia earlier this year.  Pondus is another Ex European galloper.  He was fifth in the Bart Cummings first up and appears the likely leader from his inside gate.

Harpo Marx has been up for a while but continues to race well.  He was third in The Metropolitan last start.  Lunar Flare returned to the winners stall at Mornington last start thanks to a genius ride from Michael Dee.  Secret Blaze won the JRA Cup here two starts ago, while Miami Bound was the winner of this race last year.  The remaining runners are longer than $20-1.

1. Sound

Nine year old entire trained by Michael Moroney.  Fitter here third up after finishing less than three lengths off them in the JRA Cup.  Rough hope.

2. Good Idea

Won the Group 2 Adelaide Cup over 3200m in March but not sure his recent form is good enough to be a factor here.

3. Le Don De Vie

Ran fifth in the Geelong Cup on Wednesday so it will be interesting to see if they decide to back up here.  Struggling for his best form but the quick back up could be favourable.

4. Attorney

Dropped out to finish last in The Metropolitan.  Was okay in the Kingston Town prior.  Needs to improve.

5. Secret Blaze

Capitalised on the right run to win the JRA Cup well here two back, then weakened out after sitting outside a slow speed in the Coongy.  Does map well and is suited coming back to Moonee Valley where he has won two from three.

6. Future Score

Ran well in the Hotham Handicap over this distance last October.  Hasn’t done much in his two runs back from the spelling paddock but getting back onto a softer track may see him improve.

7. Harpo Marx

Sydney trained gelding who gets Damian Lane in the saddle for this.  He ran a good closing third in The Metropolitan at Randwick last start and can handle wet ground.  Each way claims.

8. The Good Fight

Second of the Moroney runners.  Liked the way he finished off in the Bart Cummings.  Loves wet ground.  Place hope.

9. Starcaster

Looked gone on the turn in the Benalla Cup after leading at frenetic speed, but kept finding to stave his challengers off.  Is yet to run out of the placings in four goes at Moonee Valley.  Could surprise.

10. Pondus

Is twenty eighth in the order of entry for the Melbourne Cup so a win here should sure up a spot in this years race.  He is an Ex European now part of the Lloyd Williams operation.  Lead at a frenetic speed in the Bart Cummings first up and stuck on well enough to be beaten 2.5 lengths.  Major player here second up.

11. Miami Bound

Is currently fourteenth on the order of entry for the Melbourne Cup.  Is back to defend her title after winning this race last year.  Wet ground suits.  Think she is over the odds.

12. Floating Artist

Won three in a row before being up set as a very short price favourite in the Coongy last start.  Think they just went too slow on him out in front there.  He needs a more genuine tempo which he will get here.  Key winning chance.

13. Lunar Flare

Ran a good closing second behind Tooradin at Flemington, then took out the Harry White over 2400m at Mornington last start.  This is harder but she is going well.

The following are the top 4 selections for this years race.

Jo’s Tips	Lewis’ Tips
7. Harpo Marx	10. Pondus
12. Floating Artist	11. Miami Bound
10. Pondus	12. Floating Artist
13. Lunar Flare	8. The Good Fight

Result	Horse	Margin
1st	13. Lunar Flare
2nd	12. Floating Artist	0.1 length
3rd	1. Sound	0.85 length
4th	10. Pondus	1.05 lengths

The track was rated as Soft 5.

Scratchings: 3. Le Don De Vie, 7. Harpo Marx, 8. The Good Fight.