For keen punters looking to start their weekend in style, the Mooney Valley circuit is the place to be for the Group 2 Gold Cup on Friday evening.
First organized in 1883, the famous stayer event is run over 2500 meters and features a number of talented stayers who will feature in the iconic Melbourne Cup on November 7.
Lunar Flare – who won the Gold Cup in 2021 and finished second last year, is the bookmakers’ choice at $3.50slightly higher than Vow and Declare ($5) and Future History ($7).
For those looking for a bit of double-digit value, Interpretation ($11) is a smart option.
Below is Daily Mail Australia’s runner-by-runner guide to the 2023 Mooney Valley Gold Cup.
Champion jockey James McDonald will be aboard Irish stayer Cleveland in the Mooney Valley Gold Cup
1. Knighthood (barrier 7)
Never discount a Group 1 winner, but age can work against him here.
Chances: $26
Trainer: Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott
Jockey: Jordan Childs
2. Alenquer (barrier 12)
French born stayer living in Flemington. Winner of the 2022 Tattersalls Gold Cup. Prefer other opportunities.
Chances: $17
Trainer: Michael Moroney
Jockey: Damien Oliver
3. Promise and declaration (barrier 11)
Many are favored to win the Gold Cup on Friday evening, despite the Test barrier.
Chances: $5
Trainer: Danny O’Brien
Jockey: Billy Egan
4. Athabascan (barrier 1)
Trainer John O’Shea will enjoy being an outside prospect with the bookmakers. Looms as a value bet.
Chances: $11
Trainer: John O’Shea
Jockey: Damian Lane
5. Fancy Man (barrier 15)
Last start winner at Eagle Farm on October 7 could surprise.
Chances: $25
Trainer: Annabel Neasham
Jockey: Jamie Moth
Billy Egan will ride Vow and Declare (pictured) and is tipped by many punters to be there when it counts in the Moonee Valley Gold Cup
6. Mount Popa (barrier 5)
Irish stayer expected to struggle on this quality pitch.
Chances: $61
Sneakers: Michael, Wayne and John Hawkes
Jockey: Beau Mertens
7. Future History (Barrier 13)
Real opportunity from Britain that could topple the more sought after Lunar Flare and Vow and Declare.
Chances: $7
Sneakers: Ciaron Maher and David Eustace
Jockey: Craig Williams
8. Regal Power (Barrier 2)
I expected it to be very tough here.
Chances: $41
Trainer: Johannes Leek
Jockey: Wiremu Pinn (student)
9. El Bodegon (barrier 6)
Another previous Group 1 winner, capable of finishing in place. Never discount the Chris Waller factor.
Chances: $17
Trainer: Chris Waller
Jockey: Zac Lloyd (student)
10. Real miracle (barrier 10)
Rank outsider in the field, can’t see a fairy tale in the Gold Cup under lights.
Chances: $126
Trainer: Matthew Smit
Jockey: Mrs. Carleen Hefel (student)
Esteemed trainer Chris Waller has two runners in the Gold Cup field: El Bodegon and Sheraz
11. Sheraz (Barrier 4)
Making up the numbers in the eyes of many race identities.
Chances: $31
Trainer: Chris Waller
Jockey: Jye McNeil
12. Cleveland (Barrier 9)
The stylish hoop ‘J-Mac’ is ready to tear through the field, but the barrier is not ideal.
Chances: $7
Trainer: Kris Lees
Jockey: James McDonald
13. Interpretation (barrier 14)
In-form jockey Blake Shinn will have to do his job here, it should be a brilliant ride.
Chances: $11
Sneakers: Ciaron Maher and David Eustace
Jockey: Blake Shinn
14 Moonflare (barrier 3)
Short-priced favorite, looks hard to beat, especially when humming to the winning post. 2021 winner of this event.
Chances: $3.50
Trainer: Graham Begg
Jockey: Michael Dee
Lunar Flare is the tip of many experts – she also won the Gold Cup in 2021 (pictured with jockey Michael Dee)
15. So Dazzling (Barrier 8)
Preferably over a shorter distance, but showed what she is capable of in the Group 1 Australian Oaks in April, finishing second.
Chances: $67
Trainer: Johannes Sargent
Jockey: Dean Yendall
Bet Right CEO Anthony Waller is tipping Cleveland to win under lights in the Mooney Valley Cup.
“This feature race will be interesting because it has been moved from the traditional Saturday schedule to now being carried out under lights for the first time this year,” he told Daily Mail Australia.
‘The Melbourne Cup ambitions of some of these runners will be put to the test, with the alternates typically progressing to the first Tuesday in November.
“In an evenly matched race, the Kris Lees Cleveland Appeals trained as the ones to beat.
‘Lees, based in Newcastle, rarely ventures outside NSW but must be respected and the involvement of leading hoop James McDonald certainly doesn’t hurt.
‘Cleveland has yet to taste victory since arriving in Australia, but is building well and will be well suited to the Valley in this Group 2 match.’
Waller also expects last year’s runner-up, Lunar Flare, to be close Alenquer, a former Group 1 artist in Europe.
Selections for correct deployment:
1.Cleveland
2. Moonflare
3. Alenquer