Mr Monaco books Melbourne Cup ticket with Flemington win

The Ciaron Maher stable has successfully gained another 'Golden Ticket' to the Melbourne Cup thanks to Mr Monaco's triumph at Flemington.

Mr Monaco triumphed in the Group 3 The Bart Cummings (2500m) at Flemington on Saturday, thereby securing a ballot exemption into the Melbourne Cup (3200m) scheduled for November 3.

Previously, Shockletz had earned a ballot exemption for the Maher stable with her victory in The Archer (2500m) at Flemington last month.

Despite Mr Monaco also being an acceptor for The Metropolitan (2400m) at Randwick on Saturday, the decision was made to race him at Flemington.

Under the expert guidance of apprentice Jabez Johnstone, Mr Monaco ($8) clinched a 1-¼-length win over the $4.60 favourite Litzdeel, with Valiant King ($13) trailing a further four lengths behind in third place.

Maher indicated that his belief in Mr Monaco's capabilities grew significantly after witnessing Juju Kibo secure 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 commented.

"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 for his impressive ride on Mr Monaco, which marked the Tasmanian apprentice's maiden Stakes race victory on the Australian mainland.

"He's a little ripper," Maher said, referring to 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."

With this win, Mr Monaco has officially qualified for the 2026 Melbourne Cup.

Betting on the Melbourne Cup is heating up; compare the best betting sites for the best odds.