The Ciaron Maher stable has secured another ‘Golden Ticket’ into the 2026 Melbourne Cup with the victory of Mr Monaco at Flemington.
Mr Monaco took out the Group 3 The Bart Cummings (2500m) on Saturday, earning a ballot exemption into the Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington on November 3.
Shockletz had previously earned a ballot exemption for the Maher stable with her win in The Archer (2500m) at Flemington last month.
An acceptor also in The Metropolitan (2400m) at Randwick on Saturday, the decision was made to send Mr Monaco to Flemington.
Under the guidance of apprentice Jabez Johnstone, Mr Monaco ($8) scored a 1-¼-length win from the $4.60 favourite Litzdeel with Valiant King ($13) a further four lengths away third.
Maher stated that his confidence in Mr Monaco grew after watching Juju Kibo take out The Metropolitan 15 minutes prior to 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 said.
“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 praised Johnstone for his ride on Mr Monaco which provided the Tasmanian apprentice with his first Stakes race win on the mainland.
“He’s a little ripper,” Maher said of 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 victory guarantees him a start in the upcoming Melbourne Cup.
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