Michael Moroney is one of just four trainers with horses in the 2014 Melbourne Cup field who have previously won the distinguished race.

The trainer has seen 18 horses run the race, three of which placed in the top three. Brew brought home the win back in 2000 and he has seen another two of his runners finish in third. This year he is banking on Araldo to bring him his second win in the ‘race that stops the nation’ but can the six-year-old horse do it?

Araldo will get the widest start from barrier 23 with Dwayne Dunn as hoop after Sea Moon was scratched from the race earlier today, but this isn’t necessarily a disadvantage. The 3200m track at Flemington is a beauty. With more than 1000m run down the home straight before the field turns, all runners have the opportunity to move into a favourable position – even those drawn wide.

Dwayne Dunn is an experienced hoop in the Group 1 Emirates Melbourne Cup (3200m) with eight attempts. His best result was 7th back in 1997 with Skybeau.

This is good news for Araldo and punters have taken note – the entire has shortened to $26 from $31 in the Ladbrokes.com.au betting market.

Also favourable for the punters is the entire’s performance in his last two starts – storming home from a mile back in both the Group 1 Metropolitan (2400m) and Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) for solid runs. He only got into The Metrop race late but worked home very strongly for a minor placing. He was then in the last few settling in the Caulfield Cup but kept picking his rivals off from the tail. He ran a cheeky race for a big roughie, finishing just 1½ lengths off the winner in fifth.

Melbourne Cup Horse Form: #21 Araldo

• Barrier: 24 (into 23)
• Weight: 53kg
• Jockey: Dwayne Dunn
• Trainer: Michael Moroney
• Owners: Mr M D Moroney, R & C Legh Racing Pty Ltd, G G Ltd, Mr R Smith, Mr C J Andronis, Mr G T Ryan, Wright Racing, Mr G Kaparos, Mr R S Scheriani, Dr J T Kennedy, Mrs A C M Kennedy
• Age: 7YO
• Gender: Entire
• Breeding: by High Chaparral (IRE) from Alanda (GER)
• Career: 15:4-2-4
• Win: 27%
• Place: 67%
• Last 6: 3×7635
• Prize Money: $317,694
• Track: 2:1-0-1
• Distance: 0:0-0-0
• Current 2014 Melbourne Cup Odds: $26

Why Araldo Can Win The 2014 Melbourne Cup

• Looks the best roughie among the locals
• He stormed home from a mile back his last two starts and looks like he’ll comfortably run out the two miles, if he’s ridden quiet he’ll stay strong
• Winner over the Flemington track with one win and one minor placing from his two starts on the course proper
• Trainer Michael Moroney has plenty of experience in the race having won back in 2000 with Brew and finishing third another two times
• Hoop Dwayne Dunn has ridden in eight past Melbourne Cups
• Last start was the Caulfield Cup, which is a strong lead-up race for the Cup – Delta Blues (2006) was the last winner to come via Caulfield after finishing third

Why Araldo Won’t Win The 2014 Melbourne Cup

• Will start from the carpark after drawing the widest gate
• Hasn’t had a win since October last year in the Listed Bart Cummings (2520m) despite five starts
• Is unproven over the 3200m
• Dwayne Dunn’s best run was 7th back in 1997 with Skybeau despite eight attempts
• Melbourne Cup favourite Admire Rakti already got the better of him in the Caulfield Cup

If you believe Araldo is the best roughie among the locals and can win the 2014 Melbourne Cup despite a wide start, back him at Ladbrokes.com.au for the best odds available.

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