Big Payday for Fiorente's Lunar Flare in Gold Cup

Mark Smith - Saturday October 23

It was a massive result for trainer Grahame Begg, when Michael Dee guided the lightweight Lunar Flare to victory in Saturday's $1million Group II McCafe Moonee Valley Gold Cup (2500m).

In a desperate finish, the 6yo daughter of Fiorente (IRE) clung to a rapidly diminishing half-head advantage over Floating Artist (GB) (Nathaniel), with Sound (GER) (Lando) three-quarters of a length back in third.

Lunar Flare (outside) edges Floating Artist in a thriller (image Brett Holburt/Racing Photos)

Racing in great heart, Lunar Flare advances her record to seven three six from 26 starts with earnings of $972,255.

"It’s absolutely outstanding. She’s been a model of consistency right through, right from the time I got her,” Begg said.

Advertisement

“She took a bit to work out but keeps stepping up to the line.

“We had a few doubts with the track deteriorating a little bit but, she’s hard fit, came off a good mile-and-a-half run a few weeks ago and what a great job.

“We’re so pleased to win for the connections. Great race to win, fair dinkum, a million dollar race.

“I didn’t leave her in the Melbourne Cup because I thought at the time she’d got beaten when it was time to pay up. I thought it was a bit hard to try and run her in a Melbourne Cup after a disappointing run, but she’s done her job up to now so we’ll have to consider what we’ll do. It could be the Queen Elizabeth or something like that.”

Lunar Flare (image Scott Barbour/Racing Photos)

Bred by Mojo Thoroughbreds, Lunar Flare A half-sister to the stakes-placegetters Sea of Tranquility (Dash for Cash) and Eagle Command (by Dash for Cash),

The daughter of Forente (IRE) is the best of nine winners from as many to race out of the unraced Encosta De Lago mare My Fair Lago.

Another of the nine winners is Lunar Lights (Bianconi), the dam of the Listed VRC Taj Rossi Series Final winner Honey Steel's Gold (Keep The Faith).

The last recorded foal by My Fair Lago is a 3yo filly by Dark Cove (USA).

Melbourne Cup hero Fiorente (IRE) stands at Widden Stud, Victoria, for a fee of $11,000.

Advertisment

Race Result - Moonee Valley Gold Cup Gr2 2500m

Moonee Valley Track: Soft(5) Time: 2:40.12
1
Lunar Flare
- 6m Fiorente (IRE) x My Fair Lago (AUS) (Encosta De Lago (AUS))
Tnr: G M Begg Rdr: M J Dee 54
Fiorente
2
0.1
Floating Artist
- 6g Nathaniel (IRE) x Miss Kenton (IRE) (Pivotal (GB))
Tnr: C Maher & D Eustace Rdr: Teodore Nugent 55
3
0.9
Sound
- 9h Lando (GER) x Sky Dancing (IRE) (Exit To Nowhere (USA))
Tnr: M D Moroney Rdr: J Mott 57
4
1.0
Pondus
- 6g Sea The Moon (GER) x Diablerette (GB) (Green Desert (USA))
Tnr: Robert Hickmott Rdr: Jye McNeil 56
5
4.5
Miami Bound
- 5m Reliable Man (GB) x Arapaho Miss (AUS) (Danehill Dancer (IRE))
Tnr: D T O'Brien Rdr: D Moor 55
6
5.3
Future Score
- 7g Cape Cross (IRE) x Theola (IRE) (Kalanisi (IRE))
Tnr: Matthew Cumani Rdr: D Yendall 56
7
5.5
Secret Blaze
- 6g Sizzling (AUS) x Abscond (AUS) (Galileo (IRE))
Tnr: T & C McEvoy Rdr: L Currie 56
8
6.2
Attorney
- 7g Makfi (GB) x Tia Kia (IRE) (Montjeu (IRE))
Tnr: Matthew Smith Rdr: Craig Williams 56.5
9
7.7
Starcaster
- 7g Dansili (GB) x Shirocco Star (GB) (Shirocco (GER))
Tnr: A & S Freedman Rdr: B Mc Dougall 56
10
27.7
Good Idea
- 7g So You Think (NZ) x Faint Perfume (AUS) (Shamardal (USA))
Tnr: P Stokes Rdr: C Newitt 57
More Reading...
Magic Trials at Caulfield Heath
Early season two-year-olds will step out this Thursday, 2 October, at the Caulfield Spring Trials presented by Magic Millions, with 800m 2YO heats following the opening trial for Group performers at 7:30am on the Caulfield Heath.
Sires With Winners - Wednesday October 1
Here is the full list of 49 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Talented So You Think Mare Goes Two for Two
So You Think is setting the pace for winners this season as we head into October and one of those promising winners is talented four year-old mare Enamorada, who made it two wins in as many starts when saluting at Sandown on Wednesday as favourite.
Hot Date for Lunar Flare
Outstanding staying mare Lunar Flare might not have the first Tuesday in November at Flemington after her retirement due to injury following her fourth place in the Group II Moonee Valley Gold Cup, but a Tweet from her trainer Grahame Begg would indicate she’s on her way to something more exciting.
Promising Victory For Too Darn Hot’s Ripley
Racing in the same Qatar Bloodstock coloured silks worn to victory on Friday night by West of Swindon (Wootton Bassett) in the Group 2 Stutt Stakes, 3yo Too Darn Hot colt Ripley highlighted his future potential with a two-length maiden victory at Rosehill on Wednesday.
Bryce Bevan Appointed Head of Digital at Magic Millions
Magic Millions' commitment to conduct online thoroughbred auctions has received a huge boost with today's announcement that Bryce Bevan has been appointed as Head of Digital.
Almanzor Mare Chasing More Black Type
Group Two performer Mary Shan will be in search of an elusive stakes victory when she heads south to Hawera on Saturday where she will contest the Gr.3 Grangewilliam Stud Breeders’ Stakes (1400m).
Melbourne Cup runner for Melbourne Cup winning sire Fiorente
Grahame Begg is set to have his very first runner in the Melbourne Cup with tough staying mare Lunar Flare securing her place in the race that stops the nation with a stylish win in the Group III VRC Bart Cummings (2500m) at Flemington on Saturday.
King’s Legacy Filly Salutes for Yulong
The first stakes-winner for her sire King’s Legacy when winning the Group III SAJC David Coles AM Stakes (1200m) last season, Steel Trap was subsequently purchased by Yulong privately and she posted her first win in their colours at Sandown on Wednesday.
Lunar Flare Wins Andrew Ramsden
Fiorente (IRE) mare Lunar Flare is at her best at a long distance staying trip and she showed her class when thrashing hot favourite White Marlin (IRE) to win the $500,000 Listed VRC Andrew Ramsden Stakes (2800m) at Flemington on Saturday.