Frankel Stayer Wins $1million G2 Moonee Valley Cup

Tara Madgwick - Saturday October 22

Not entered for the Melbourne Cup, progressive young Frankel stayer Francesco Guardi (IRE) showed he may be a force to be reckoned with next year when he scored a dominant win in the $1million Group II MVRC Moonee Valley Gold Cup (2600m)  Moonee Valley on Saturday.

Francesco Guardi wins the G2 Moonee Valley Cup -  - image Grant Courtney

Trained by Chris Waller and ridden by James McDonald, he has been a work in progress but a fast finishing second at his last start in the Group III VRC Bart Cummings showed Franceso Guardi was ready to step it up again.

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Francesco Guardi led for home and kept going to win by nearly four lengths with last year’s winner Lunar Flare working home well for second in a great Melbourne Cup trial.

“Timely win. The horse has been working his way into form. He's been in Australia for about 18 months and just gradually getting there,” said Chris Waller.

"The writing was on the wall with a good run at Flemington last start and backs it up in a massive prizemoney race today.”

Waller explained his decision to leave the Melbourne Cup to next year for Francesco Guardi.

"We thought he was a year away, but I think in 12 months time it might be a different story.” He said.

"Winning races like today is one thing, the Melbourne Cup is a whole new level. We'll regroup after today and have a good throw at the stumps next year."

Francesco Guardi - image Grant Courtney

Bred by Ballylinch Stud, who remain in his ownership, Francesco Guardi made 200,000 guineas at the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale Book 1 when bought by Amanda Skiffington.

He has the overall record of five wins and seven placings from 19 starts with prizemoney now topping $1million.

Francesco Guardi is the 104th stakes-winner for champion sire Frankel and is from stakes-placed Trophee, a half-sister to two time Arc winner and European Horse of the Year Treve.

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Race Result - McCafe Moonee Valley Gold Cup Gr2 2500m

Moonee Valley Track: Heavy(8) Time: 2:39.38
1
Francesco Guardi
- 5g Frankel (GB) x Trophee (FR) (Mr Sidney (USA))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: J B Mc Donald 55
2
3.8
Lunar Flare
- 7m Fiorente (IRE) x My Fair Lago (AUS) (Encosta De Lago (AUS))
Tnr: G M Begg Rdr: Jordan Childs 55
Fiorente
3
6.6
Persan
- 6g Pierro (AUS) x Ofcourseican (AUS) (Mossman (AUS))
Tnr: C Maher & D Eustace Rdr: Damian Lane 55
Pierro
4
11.7
Grand Promenade
- 7g Champs Elysees (GB) x Zacchera (GB) (Zamindar (USA))
Tnr: C Maher & D Eustace Rdr: Jye McNeil 56
5
12.5
San Huberto
- 7h Speightstown (USA) x Sediciosa (IRE) (Rail Link (GB))
Tnr: Matthew Cumani Rdr: John Allen 55.5
6
12.9
The Amazonian
- 4m Akeed Mofeed (GB) x Saramenha (AUS) (Snitzel (AUS))
Tnr: M Price & M Kent Jnr Rdr: Jamie Kah 52
7
14.6
Desert Icon
- 7g Sea The Stars (IRE) x Plume Rose (GB) (Marchand De Sable (USA))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: B Prebble 56
8
15.4
Nerve Not Verve
- 7m Shocking (AUS) x Bilancia (NZ) (Montjeu (IRE))
Tnr: M D Moroney Rdr: Tim Clark 55
9
15.5
Carif
- 7g So You Think (NZ) x Norzita (NZ) (Thorn Park (AUS))
Tnr: P & P Snowden Rdr: D Oliver 55
10
15.6
Serpentine
- 6g Galileo (IRE) x Remember When (IRE) (Danehill Dancer (IRE))
Tnr: Robert Hickmott Rdr: Ethan Brown 55
11
27.6
The Good Fight
- 8g High Chaparral (IRE) x Pravda (NZ) (Zabeel (NZ))
Tnr: M D Moroney Rdr: J Mott 56
12
29.6
Sacramento
- 6g Pierro (AUS) x Alzora (AUS) (Redoute's Choice (AUS))
Tnr: G Waterhouse & A Bott Rdr: Craig Williams 56
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