Lunar Flare returns to The Valley in the Moonee Valley Gold Cup

Grahame Begg is out for redemption after Lunar Flare was withdrawn from last year’s Melbourne Cup due to a bruised heel with the mare set to start favourite in Friday night’s Group 2 Moonee Valley Gold Cup (2500m).

Lunar Flare, who has drawn barrier 3 for Friday night’s feature, won the race two years ago and ran second in it last year, with Begg relieved to see her hit the line well in the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) after finishing last the start prior.

“We thought this was the right option, we think the Turnbull is the right form race, we always thought going back to Flemington, that’d be the right recipe,” Begg said.

Begg had the luxury of being guaranteed a start in this year’s Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) having won the ballot-free Listed Andrew Ramsden (2800m) earlier this year by five-and-a-half lengths.

Begg opted to skip the Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) with Lunar Flare, citing her poor record at the track which she “doesn’t handle”, leaving him without a runner after his other staying star Nonconformist was scratched.

“It was easy to miss the Caulfield Cup, we made a call, she’s going to Moonee Valley Friday night.”

At Moonee Valley on Tuesday morning, Lunar Flare drew barrier three for Friday night’s feature, remaining a firm $3.20 favourite with regular jockey Michael Dee to ride.

While Begg is confident the mare can run well at Moonee Valley, he was measured whether the daughter of 2013 Melbourne Cup winner Fiorente could follow in her sire’s footsteps and win a Melbourne Cup.”All will be revealed,” Begg alluded.

Lunar Flare is a $3.70 favourite for the Moonee Valley Gold Cup and a $15 chance with online bookmakers for the Melbourne Cup.