Veteran stayer Who Shot Thebarman is in great shape as he tries to score back to back wins in the Group 2 $500,000 McCafe Moonee Valley Gold Cup (2500m) at The Valley on Saturday.
Who Shot Thebarman, above in orange colours, is chasing back to back wins in the 2018 Moonee Valley Gold Cup at The Valley. Photo by Steve Hart.
Who Shot Thebarman carried 55kg to victory in the 2017 Moonee Valley Gold Cup but has been lumped with the equal top weight of 58kg courtesy of his win in the Group 1 $2m Schweppes Sydney Cup (3200m) at Randwick during the 2018 Sydney Autumn Carnival.
The ten year old has had three runs back from a spell and will appreciate the step up to the 2500m of the Moonee Valley Gold Cup after his last start ninth over the unsuitable distance of 2000m in the Group 2 $500,000 Craven Plate (2000m) at Randwick on October 13.
Sydney jockey Tye Angland has followed Who Shot Thebarman to The Valley and trainer Chris Waller can see the old warhorse getting a nice run midfield from barrier seven in the capacity fifteen horse Moonee Valley Gold Cup field.
“He gets back on a good track on Saturday and up to a more suitable distance so from barrier seven it should see him settle midfield,” Waller said in his pre-race report.
“His fitness levels seem fine and he has arrived safely and settled into Flemington without any issues.”
“It is a stronger race than last year but nonetheless it is a good yard stick as to where he might be heading beyond Saturday.”
“We will hope for a fair run, get a good gauge on where he is at and hopefully he has another win left in him.”
Waller will saddle up four runners in the Moonee Valley Gold Cup and as well as Who Shot Thebarman, the premier trainer will send out Patrick Erin (Corey Brown, barrier 14), Egg Tart (Kerrin McEvoy, barrier 3) and Libran (Hugh Bowman, barrier 2).
In a wide open betting race, the Liam Howley trained – Lloyd Williams owned The Taj Mahal heads the betting for the Moonee Valley Gold Cup at $5.50 at Ladbrokes.com.au while Egg Tart and Libran are both posted at $9 ahead of Patrick Erin at $13 and Who Shot Thebarman at $17.
