The Moonee Valley Gold Cup has always played a vital role in the lead-up to the Melbourne Cup.
While winners of both races in the same year are rare, the Moonee Valley Gold Cup has traditionally provided its victor with a handicap penalty, taking them a step closer to gaining a start in the Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington, which this year will be run on November 4.
The Moonee Valley Gold Cup (2500m) on Friday night takes on even greater significance this year, as it provides the winner with a ballot exemption into the Melbourne Cup — just like the Geelong Cup (2400m) at its rescheduled time on Thursday.
Four horses accepted for both the Geelong Cup and Moonee Valley Gold Cup, with the connections of Gilded Water and Changingoftheguard electing to head to Geelong rather than step out at Moonee Valley.
That leaves 12 horses to contest Friday night’s race, with all bar Berkshire Breeze and Hezashocka still in contention for the Melbourne Cup.
Smokin’ Romans is safely in the Melbourne Cup field, with Onesmoothoperator currently holding down spot 24 in the elimination order. Athabascan sits at number 25, while Post Impressionist and Scary are ranked 30 and 31 respectively.
A lot can change between Friday night’s Moonee Valley Gold Cup and final acceptances for the Melbourne Cup on Saturday week, as all contenders must undergo veterinary scans and be cleared by Racing Victoria vets before acceptance.
Ciaron Maher, who captured his first Moonee Valley Gold Cup with Okita Soushi last year before that galloper went on to finish third in the Melbourne Cup, has Smokin’ Romans and Berkshire Breeze in this year’s contest. He had also accepted with Gilded Water before deciding to press on to Geelong with that runner.
Smokin’ Romans won the Warrnambool Cup in May, and Maher says the nine-year-old is racing with renewed enthusiasm.
In 2022, Smokin’ Romans claimed the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) at Flemington and started favourite in the Caulfield Cup at his next start, finishing seventh behind Durston.
At his most recent outing, Smokin’ Romans finished fourth in the Herbert Power Stakes (2400m) at Caulfield on October 11.
“He just continues to wind back the clock. He’s in as good a form as ever,” Maher said.
“He carried a stack of weight last time and ran very well.
“Again, the race was probably run too slow for him — he just couldn’t get that momentum, even though he was leading.
He’s in good order and has good form at Moonee Valley.”
Berkshire Breeze is not among the 50 horses remaining in the Melbourne Cup but has the credentials to win on Friday night.
He chased home Half Yours in the Naturalism Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield on September 20 before running sixth to Valiant King in The Bart Cummings (2500m) at Flemington on October 4.
“He’s got it there to run well. He needed to draw well and (barrier) six looks ideal,” Maher said.
