Melbourne Cup Next on the List for Moonee Valley Cup Winner Hunting Horn

Aidan O’Brien’s five-year-old gelding Hunting Horn has earned a spot in next fortnight’s Melbourne Cup thanks to a great ride (and a great win) from jockey Ryan Moore on Saturday.

The Irish raider won the Group 2 Moonee Valley Cup (2500m) by a length from Mr Quickie, who struggled to make up ground after getting away slowly from the gates. Hunting Horn moved up to the race-favourite at the 200m mark and didn’t look back, earning a bold win and a bold move in this year’s Melbourne Cup market.

Hunting Horn has firmed from a whopping $101 into $21.00 for the Cup as he hopes to add his name to the long list of international winners. With automatic entry, stable representative TJ Comerford said Saturday’s race suited Hunting Horn beautifully ahead of his grand final.

“Love to stay well and I suppose the race suited him because they went steady. He’s always been running over a mile and a quarter so all that helps” Comerford said after the win.

Hunting Horn will be awarded a weight penalty in the leadup to the Cup, but it mightn’t mean much if winning hoop Ryan Moore can time another brilliant run on the first Tuesday in November.

The champion Irish jockey showed tremendous patience in Saturday’s win before pressing the button at the 600m mark. As a result, Hunting Horn flew by Group 1 winner Mr Quickie with ease.

“He’s a lovely colt, he has very good form. He has very good form all the way through. He’s had some tough assignments. He traveled very strongly and they got a bit quicker, he won at Ascot as a three-year-old and they’ve set him tough tasks. Today was a nice spot for him” Moore said after the race.

Mr Quickie lost no admirers running a place, while Downdraft saw out the trip well sitting up on the speed throughout.

Ladbrokes’ All-In Melbourne Cup market can be viewed here.

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