Grand Marshal Captures Moonee Valley Gold Cup

Chris Waller's memorable day at Moonee Valley was kick-started by the old warhorse Grand Marshal (GB) who edged out stablemate Who Shot Thebarman in Saturday's $300,000 Group II Moonee Valley Gold Cup (2500m).

With the favoured Gallante and Authoritarian ensuring a solid staying contest, Hugh Bowman made first run on Who Shot Thebarman but Ben Melham was circling the field on the 2015 Group 1 Sydney Cup hero Grand Marshal who wore down his stablemate to score by three-quarters-of-a-length with John Wheeler's Pentathlon three and a half lengths back in third. (photo Grant Courtney).

The 7yo son of Dansili had not won in 17 starts since his Sydney Cup success in which he had again relegated Who Shot Thebarman into second place.

It was a lucky pick-up ride for Melham after Joao Moreira was grounded in Hong Kong and came after Melham guided the outsider Rebel Dane to victory in the Group 1 Manikato Stakes on Friday night.

With his second stakes win in the bag, Grand Marshal advances his overall record to 8 wins, 6 seconds and 5 thirds from 37 starts with earnings of $2,028,792. 

"It's been a big couple of days," Melham said. "It's good to win on this bloke today.

"He's sort of been running OK and today he finally got conditions to suit. There was a solid tempo up front, the pressure never really came off.

"It was a strong gallop the whole way so I was able to creep into the race around the side and just keep him together.

"I sort of knew I had the race at my mercy and it's good to see this horse back in form."

Waller confirmed his pair are on track for the Melbourne Cup.

"They are in good form and heading in the right direction," Waller said.

"Who Shot Thebarman was the benchmark two years ago running third and then last year they didn't compete, they both got knocked over so it's hard to sort of say going on last year's run.

"But they are genuine two-milers of old and that's what you want in a Melbourne Cup.

"Whether they've got the dash to beat the overseas horses or Jameka, probably not, but we'll have a good time trying."

Grand Marshal raced under the name of Magog in England where he was trained by Roger Charlton for Lady Rothschild.

The son of Dansili made just three starts, winning on debut at Salisbury, second in a handicap at Nottingham then winning over a mile and a half at Goodwood.

He was then purchased privately by bloodstock agents Mick Flanagan and Guy Mulcaster on behalf of Macau businessman CC Lai.

Grand Marshal is the fourth named foal of the top-class Doyoun mare Margarula who won the Group 1 Irish Oaks in 2002, the same year her sire died in relative obscurity in Turkey.