The Ciaron Maher stable has secured yet another ‘Golden Ticket’ to the Melbourne Cup following Mr Monaco’s win at Flemington.
Mr Monaco clinched the Group 3 The Bart Cummings (2500m) on Saturday, earning himself a ballot exemption for the prestigious Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington on November 3.
Shockletz had previously secured a ballot exemption for the Maher stable through her victory in The Archer (2500m) at Flemington last month.
Although Mr Monaco was also entered for The Metropolitan (2400m) at Randwick on Saturday, the decision was made to send him to Flemington.
Guided by apprentice Jabez Johnstone, Mr Monaco ($8) achieved a 1-¼-length win over the $4.60 favourite Litzdeel, with Valiant King ($13) finishing a further four lengths adrift in third.
Maher revealed his confidence in Mr Monaco was elevated after observing Juju Kibo’s win in The Metropolitan just fifteen minutes before The Bart Cummings.
“The horse had been a little bit out of form, but before that he and Juju Kibo had run together and with Juju winning The Metropolitan, it gave me a bit of confidence,” Maher stated.
“He did have good wet form, so we thought we’d send him down the highway and now he’s here in Melbourne and has got a ticket.
“There’s a great ownership group and now they’re in the Cup.
“The next month and a bit, when you get one in the Cup is the most thrilling time for the owners.
“The build-up, it’s nearly better than the race.
“The Metrop was his aim, but when the weather came, on Wednesday, at acceptance time, that’s when we travel our horses and that’s when we made the call and thankfully, we did.”
Maher lauded Johnstone’s ride on Mr Monaco, which marked the Tasmanian apprentice’s first Stakes race victory on the mainland.
“He’s a little ripper,” Maher commented regarding Johnstone.
“He’s been a revelation since coming across.
“My General Manager Sam Lefebvre follows the Tassie racing having worked down there and he said ‘this kid is going places, and we need to get him’.
“He works hard. I get on with him quite well. He’s usually a man of few words and I don’t mind that either.
“It was a good positive ride and he’s strong.”
Mr Monaco’s win confirms his entry into the highly anticipated Melbourne Cup.
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