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A potential final lead-up into the Melbourne Cup 2024 field takes place under the lights at The Valley on Cox Plate Eve this Friday night with the Group 2 $750,000 Ladbrokes Moonee Valley Gold Cup (2500m) lighting up the cauldron.

Ten stayers face off in this year’s Moonee Valley Gold Cup field with a number eyeing a potential run at Flemington on Tuesday November 5 in the time-honoured Group 1 $8.56 million Lexus Melbourne Cup (3200m).

Although no horse since Kingston Rule (1990) has completed the Moonee Valley Gold Cup – Melbourne Cup double in the same year, the dream remains alive for a host of the final acceptors in the former this Friday evening.

Sitting top of the current Moonee Valley Gold Cup odds online at race sponsor Ladbrokes.com.au is the Chris Waller-trained Francesco Guardi who won the event back in 2022.

The now seven-year-old son of Frankel pays $3.80 to salute for a second time, and success would see him become the first two-time champion since Precedence (2010 and 2013).

James McDonald has the mount from barrier nine in his first ride aboard the horse since the disappointing second last (17th) to Without A Fight in last year’s Caulfield Cup.

Most recently Francesco Guardi, who is after his first turf triumph since this race two years ago, was seen crossing four lengths back seventh in the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) and there’s money for him to break his lengthy winning drought.

Waller has prepared three past Moonee Valley Gold Cup winners and along with Francesco Guardi also saddles-up Manzoice ($20), scratched from Wednesday’s Geelong Cup in favour of this assignment, in barrier four with Brazilian Joao Moreira riding.

It is currently a wide-open Moonee Valley Gold Cup betting market with four other runners outside the favourite at single-figures including last start Group 3 The Bart Cummings winner Just Fine ($5.50).

Just Fine is locked in for a Melbourne Cup bid next month and gets a chance to collect a Group 2 trophy on his way to the world’s richest handicap from gate 10 of 10 on Friday night.

Jordan Childs rides the Sea The Stars gelding on 58kg for Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott.

The Waterhouse & Bott partnership launch a two-pronged assault with Serpentine ($6.50) drawn the rails and looking to atone for a last start 12th in the Group 1 The Metropolitan (2400m) behind subsequent Caulfield Cup third placegetter Land Legend.

The other hopes under $10 for the win are Brayden Star ($7) coming off a good fourth in the Group 2 Herbert Power at Caulfield and Ciaron Maher‘s lightly raced import Saint George ($7) having his fourth run in Australia.

Caulfield Cup scratching Positivity is another standout in this year’s Moonee Valley Gold Cup field with the Group 3 Naturalism Stakes mare out to improve on her The Bart Cummings seventh.

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