2022 Moonee Valley Gold Cup betting tips | Saturday, October 22

The Group 2 Moonee Valley Cup (2500m) shapes as another form reference for runners heading towards the Melbourne Cup. A field of 12 stayers have accepted for the $1 million race, and at $5 field the field, it shapes to be an even contest.

Having finished second in The Bart Cummings last time out, Francesco Guardi from the Chris Waller yard heads the market with online bookmakers, while Persan ($6), Desert Icon ($8), Grand Promenade ($8.50) and Lunar Flare ($9.50) are all expected to challenge for favouritism the closer we get to the jump.

Look for the likes of Sacramento, The Amazonian, Grand Promenade and Carif to take up the running, while market elect Francesco Guardi will most likely need to come from the rear of the field to win despite drawing barrier two.

Continue reading for HorseBetting’s top selections and $100 betting strategy for the 2022 Moonee Valley Gold Cup.

Having strung together consecutive wins at the Moonee Valley 2040m prior to a third-place effort in the Group 2 Herbert Power Stakes, it is hard to knock the form of Desert Icon from the Waller stable. He managed to beat a majority of the field that he faces again on Saturday two starts back when saluting in the Group 3 JRA Cup, where he used a soft draw to his advantage and quickened nicely to claim Group 3 honours. He shapes to gain a similar run in transit in the Moonee Valley Gold Cup having drawn barrier one under Brett Prebble. He has a strong affiliation with the track, and considering he has already won at 2400m in his career, the trip should be no issue for this son of Sea The Stars. He handles all conditions and, at $8 with online betting sites, looks a great bet.

The Amazonian is certainly a stayer on the rise and managed to lead throughout to claim victory in the Pinker Pinker Plate at Cranbourne on October 7. The four-year-old mare relished the Heavy conditions and enjoyed setting a genuine tempo out in front over 2025m. Considering she won the Group 3 SA Fillies Classic back in May, The Amazonian is sure to take some catching in this – especially if she can find the front. She may lack experience compared to some of her rivals, but with 52kg on her back and the want to settle in a forward position, it is easy to make a case for the Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr-trained mare.

Lunar Flare was an impressive winner in The Bart Cummings but is obviously aimed towards a Melbourne Cup. Francesco Guardi will be needing to improve on his last-start second in the same race, but he is a deserving market elect; we just have our queries about how his racing pattern stands up around The Valley. The chances don’t end there with Persan, Grand Promenade and Sacramento all having claims in the Group 2 Moonee Valley Gold Cup.

2022 Moonee Valley Gold Cup selections & best bets

• 3

  DESERT ICON

• 12

  THE AMAZONIAN

• 11

  FRANCESCO GUARDI

• 5

  LUNAR FLARE

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