Sydney Cup looms for impressive Mr Monaco
Next port of call for import Mr Monaco is set to be the Sydney Cup after his stamina-showing triumph in the N E Manion Cup at Rosehill.
Caught three-deep no cover in mid-division, Mr Monaco ($5.50) unleashed a powerful late charge to edge out surging Taramansour ($31) by a long head, with stablemate Juja Kibo ($3.70 fav) only a half-head adrift in third position.
Ciaron Maher, the trainer, verified that the five-year-old is targeting Randwick's two-mile highlight next month and may bypass another start beforehand.
"We knew he'd improve up to the mile-and-a-half, but that was a strong win," Maher said.
"Onwards to the Sydney Cup and given how well he stayed today, he'd probably nearly just line up straight after this one."
Mr Monaco began his career in England before arriving Down Under last year, wrapping up his spring with three outings by winning at Caulfield.
According to Maher, the gelding has progressed steadily like many European arrivals and continues to thrive, plus he approved of Juja Kibo's third placing, with the horse also aimed at the Sydney Cup over 3200m.
"'Juja' looked to have the softer run and have everything it's way, but 'Monaco' had to do it the tougher way and covered a bit of ground," he said.
"Both horses, they're going to strip pretty well and get in with a nice weight, and both will run the two miles."
Zac Lloyd notched an early double on Mr Monaco after steering Queensland Derby hopeful Barrengarry to win the Midway Handicap (1500m), and despite coping with a wide gate in the 2400m N E Manion Cup, Lloyd feels the gelding's display signals strong Sydney Cup potential.
"I think that's going to be right up his alley, considering he probably ran about 3000 (metres) today, so he's ready to go," Lloyd said.
Check out top Australian betting sites for Sydney Cup opportunities.
More Racing News
Yellow Brick nails The Archer at Rockhampton after delay
The team of Tony and Maddysen Sears faced a brief postponement, yet the victory made it all rewarding when their key runner Yellow Brick took out The Archer in Rockhampton.Scheduled initially for Sunday, the $1 million slotted contest was deferred owing to concerns over segments of the straight near home...
Record burden no issue for Stern Idol in Brierly Steeplechase
As Steven Pateman steered Stern Idol towards the hill's base in the Brierly Steeplechase at Warrnambool, trainer Ciaron Maher's earlier comments were fresh in his mind.The rider was on board Tuesday's $2.10 top pick at the Tozer Road double for the 3450m steeplechase, the key event kicking off the three-day...
Tycoon Star set for The Goodwood after Morphettville gear tweak
Ben Hayes, co-trainer at Lindsay Park, attributed a crucial gear modification and rider swap to Tycoon Star's recent win at Morphettville.Ben, Will and J D Hayes' Lindsay Park team looks to convert that result into Group 1 glory with Tycoon Star tackling The Goodwood (1200m) at Morphettville on Saturday.Visors featured...
Warrnambool heavy track perfect for La Fracas return
Mick Price alongside Michael Kent Jr endured a longer wait than anticipated to place La Fracas on a Heavy track again, but Warrnambool delivers the chance.The specialist wet-tracker seeks to uphold his unblemished record in the soggiest conditions for Wednesday's $200,000 Listed Wangoom Handicap (1200m).His most recent third appearance on...
Matthew Smith eyes Gosford Gold Cup win for import Portland
Trainer Matthew Smith remains optimistic that European galloper Portland is on the verge of securing his first Australian triumph.The imported runner has shown promising form in his latest two races, charging home for third behind Wootton Verni in the Neville Sellwood Stakes (2000m) and producing a robust run when finishing...
Hollindale Stakes shake-up as Pride Of Jenni gains entry
A change emerged on Monday for this Saturday's Group 2 Hollindale Stakes with Pride Of Jenni's confirmation into the $500,000 Group 2 showdown.Among the 20 entries for the Gold Coast spectacle sits the favoured mare, accompanied by former Melbourne Cup victors Knight's Choice and Half Yours from the last two...
Stern Idol to chase Brierly Steeplechase record again at Warrnambool
Stern Idol seeks to enhance his Brierly Steeplechase benchmark when he takes on Tuesday's $150,000 highlight, the top billing on day one of the Warrnambool May Racing Carnival.Trained by Ciaron Maher, the imported nine-year-old carries 75kg over 3450 metres.He stripped the metric carrying record from Some Are Bent, who succeeded...
Brisbane raid on cards for Sepals after recovery
Cliff Brown, the trainer, is set to continue preparations for a Queensland venture featuring his Group 1 winner Sepals.Sepals claimed victory in the Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield last spring, representing Brown's first elite-level win upon his 2021 return from a Singapore engagement.The primary aim for...
Recon's Hareeba Stakes win prompts Carey Goodwood tilt
While Pat Carey trusts Recon's capabilities deeply, the gelding's debut fifth in a Flemington Listed race left him unprepared for the four-year-old to emerge as a single-digit price in Group 1 company so rapidly.That changed with a brilliant second-start triumph in the Hareeba Stakes, prompting the shrewd Mornington trainer to...
Rex Lipp eyes Ipswich success with El Pensador
Nine races and close to 10 months have passed without a win for El Pensador, but his trainer Rex Lipp anticipates a breakthrough at Monday's Ipswich fixture.This So You Think gelding seeks to follow up an encouraging fresh run in the second-last affair, namely the Seven News BM68 Handicap at...