MOONEE VALLEY GOLD CUP 2020 PREVIEW
MOONEE VALLEY RACE 8 – 15:30 AEDT
4YO+ OPEN
2500m
$500,000
SOFT 6 OR WORSE
Rail TRUE entire
| # | Form | Horse | Trainer | Jockey (barrier) | Weight (kg) | Current Price |
| 1 | 8x004 | GALLIC CHIEFTAIN | ARCHIE ALEXANDER | D LANE (13) | 57.0 | $15 |
| 2 | 0x324 | HUSH WRITER | G WATERHOUSE & A BOTT | C WILLIAMS (6) | 56.5 | $7.50 |
| 3 | 341x0 | ETAH JAMES | C MAHER & D EUSTACE | W EGAN (3) | 56.0 | $29 |
| 4 | x0925 | SHARED AMBITION | C WALLER | J B MC DONALD (8) | 56.0 | $3.80 |
| 5 | x3x58 | TRAP FOR FOOLS | L SMITH | J ALLEN (11) | 55.0 | $19 |
| 6 | 8x036 | LEVENDI | P GELAGOTIS | J MASKIELL (1) | 55.0 | $26 |
| 7 | 2x522 | SOUND | M MORONEY | M ZAHRA (2) | 55.0 | $6 |
| 8 | 1x000 | OCEANEX | M PRICE & M KENT | D YENDALL (7) | 55.0 | $10 |
| 9 | x6780 | CARIF | P & P SNOWDEN | K MCEVOY (12) | 55.0 | $26 |
| 10 | x2822 | SELINO | C WALLER | W PIKE (9) | 55.0 | $8.50 |
| 11 | x4066 | MIAMI BOUND | D O'BRIEN | JAMIE KAH (5) | 54.0 | $23 |
| 12 | 52454 | POLLY GREY | C WALLER | J M NEIL (10) | 53.0 | $9 |
| 13 | 15093 | SUPER GIRL | JOSHUA JULIUS | M J DEE (4) | 53.0 | $26 |
OVERVIEW
The Moonee Valley Gold Cup looks to be an interesting affair this year, and with heavy rain forecast, it adds another layer to the race. Shared Ambition will jump favourite; he looks to have enormous upside and has been touted as a potential Group 1 winner. He’ll face stiff competition though, including challenges from the speedy Hush Writer and the overseas stayer Selino, who is having his first run in Australia.
SPEED MAP
Pace should be genuine in the Gold Cup, with noted frontrunners Trap For Fools and Hushwriter sure to run them along at a strong gallop. Levendi and Etah James should be the next two from barriers 1 & 3 respectively, but after that the field starts to get a bit messy. Favourite Shared Ambition will settle toward the rear of the field, along with Super Girl and Selino.
KEY RUNNERS
- HUSH WRITER ($7.50)
Hush Writer shouldn’t face much pressure here and should be able to lead them along at his own pace. Has been racing well in good company this prep, finishing under half a length away in the Wyong Cup first up, before heading to Newcastle and running a game second behind Mugatoo over 2300m. Last start he sat behind the leader in The Metropolitan and was a touch unlucky, but still finished just 2 lengths away from Mirage Dancer. Looks right in this.
- SHARED AMBITION ($3.80)
Relatively lightly raced 4-year-old who looks to have a lot of untapped potential. He was eye-catching last prep when winning at Randwick in impressive fashion, and also in the JRA Plate, where he flashed home for third. This prep has been a touch unlucky in each of his runs, but has looked good when in the clear. He’ll certainly appreciate a strong tempo here, but he maps very awkwardly. Has the potential to overcome that though.
- SELINO ($10)
Interesting overseas runner, who is having his first start in Australia. This is also his first race less than 2800m since 2019. He brings some solid staying form, with two second placing in his past two runs. If this turns into a real grind, (and it very well might, with rain forecast) he could be one to watch. On the up and gets the in form William Pike booking.
BLUEY’S PICK
- HUSH WRITER ($7.50)
Siding with Hush Writer, who was a touch unlucky last start. He has been racing in top form recently and is knocking on the door for a win. He should get all the favours out in front and will prove tough to run down at The Valley, especially with his main competitors at the rear of the field.
