The big weekend at Moonee Valley kicks off tonight.
The highlight of Friday's card is the Moonee Valley Gold Cup over 2500m with the winner getting free access into the Melbourne Cup.
Wednesday's wild weather caused havoc both on and off the track, with the Geelong Cup being transferred to Thursday and decisions both by trainers and jockeys whether to go there or go to Moonee Valley.
Unfortunately for The King, Ciaron Maher chose to run Gilded Water in the delayed Geelong Cup and he was beaten so out of the Melbourne Cup as that race gave direct entry into the Melbourne Cup. However Onesmoothoperator and Grand Pierro have decided to try their luck tonight at Moonee Valley in the Gold Cup. They are both strong in the market – Onesmoothoperator being on 4.6 and current favourite, Grand Pierro on 7.6 and we also like the chances of Braydon Star on 8.4.
The other races on the card in which we can find something we like are Race 3 The Ever Green Turf over 2040m with15 runners and we like Hot Too Go, Amlto and we have heard some whispers about Saxon Beauty so we'll put him in for a third pick,
Race 4 The Country Cup Final is over 1300m and we like My Temptation, Happy Tiers and Princess Que. Race 6 is the Mitty's Vobis Gold Star over 1500m and we are looking at Rakoke and two at roughie prices – Acta Non Verba and Chartres.
The weather in Melbourne is overcast and a top of 17 expected and much the same for Saturday so no rain before Sunday but this is Melbourne so you never know!
In England they have the G1 Futurity Trophy at Doncaster over 1600m with six 2yos contending. Two Frankel products look the most likely – Benvenuto Cellini with Aidan O'Brien and Soumillon and Item – Andrew Balding- C Keane.
