Trainer Ciaron Maher has significantly strengthened his Melbourne Cup arsenal following Juja Kibo’s triumphant performance in the Moonee Valley Cup, earning her a ‘Golden Ticket’ into the major race.
The mare, who was a last-start winner of The Metropolitan (2400m) at Randwick on October 3, displayed a powerful closing surge to secure the Group 2 Moonee Valley Gold Cup (2500m) at Flemington on Saturday.
This Moonee Valley Gold Cup carried the final ballot-free exemption into the highly anticipated Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington, set to take place on November 3.
Six of the ten qualifying races have been contested on Victorian tracks, with Maher expertly leveraging these opportunities.
Maher’s successful campaign leading into the Cup includes Shockletz winning The Archer in September, followed by Mr Monaco’s victory in The Bart Cummings, and Point Of Law’s win in the Geelong Cup on Wednesday.
Juja Kibo’s victory marks the latest addition to Maher’s Melbourne Cup contingent, ensuring a start for seven of his horses in the 24-runner field.
Maher also has Royal Supremacy, Middle Earth, and Saint George confirmed in the top 24, with Zahrann currently listed at 25.
“They seem to be coming together at the right time,” Maher stated. “They’re going well, they’re in their right races and the team are doing a great job and I’m very proud.”
Ridden by Sam Clipperton, Juja Kibo ($7.50) triumphed by a half-length over stablemate Kings Valley ($13), with Mr Monaco ($16), another stablemate, finishing third a long head adrift.
Maher was quick to commend Clipperton for his commitment and effort in riding the stayer throughout the current campaign in Sydney.
“Sam, since he’s come back from his break, he’s done a lot of work for the stable and he asked if he could ride him,” Maher explained. “He said he would make the weight, and he had been galloping him and knew how good he was going. He won the race (The Metropolitan) and asked if he could come down here. I spoke to the owners, he had a night out with them up there I think, and that sealed the deal, but they were all on board, and since his last run, Sam rode him, and said he’s improved again. He was fantastic. To come off a slow speed and show such a good turn of foot, carrying a decent amount of weight, it was a pretty good win.”
The trainer also expressed considerable satisfaction with the performances of Kings Valley, who finished second, and Mr Monaco, who secured a Melbourne Cup ride for Tasmanian apprentice Jabez Johnstone.
“Kings Valley was back there as well, and I thought he was no chance,” Maher said. “He was a bit unlucky in a Caulfield Cup not to be fighting out the finish, so he’s running into form and Jabez and Mr Monaco, that was a nice tickover for next Tuesday (week).”
With Juja Kibo now a confirmed Melbourne Cup runner, exploring betting sites for the upcoming race is recommended.