A favourable weather forecast is predicted to help the chances of Miami Bound in her bid for a second Moonee Valley Gold Cup.
The Danny O’Brien-trained mare won the Group 2 race over 2500m on a soft track last year and rain is forecast again at The ValleyĀ this weekend.
Just when the rain arrives, and how much falls, will determine the hopes of Miami Bound whoĀ scoredĀ a 2-Ā½ length win last year as a $26 chance.
Marty Synan, the track manager at The Valley, said rain is expected to start falling around 6pm on Friday evening with five to 15mm expected during theĀ ManikatoĀ Stakes meeting.
“That rain will be mostly overnight and leading into the Cox Plate the forecasters have told me that we could get some showers in the morning, but not much rain expected during the day,” Synan said.
Punters expect favourable conditions withĀ Miami BoundĀ firming from $26 into $18 with TAB.
Miami Bound has not been successful since last year’s victory andĀ thenĀ went on to contest the Group 1 Melbourne CupĀ (3200m) at Flemington 10 days later, finishing 14thĀ behind Twilight Payment.
The mare enters Saturday’s race with form credentialsĀ similarĀ toĀ what she brought into last year’s contest at The Valley.
Miami Bound has had three runs this campaign, starting off finishing 12thĀ in theĀ HeatherlieĀ Stakes (1700m) at Caulfield in August then runningĀ last in the MRC Foundation Cup (2000m) on September 18.
At her last start, Miami Bound finished ninth to Grand PromenadeĀ in the Group 3 The Bart Cummings (2500m) at Flemington on October 2.
“We’re happy with her, butĀ I thought she was just even inĀ The Bart Cummings,” O’Brien said.
“We’re going into the race with no better form thanĀ lastĀ year,Ā and she turned up and won easily.
“The big thing for her will be if we get rain. If we get significant rain, she becomes a live chance.”
