Ciaron Maher’s progressive stayer Mr Monaco (GB) looks a live contender for the upcoming $2m G1 ATC Sydney Cup (3200m) after his tough victory on Saturday in the $250,000 G3 ATC N E Manion (2400m) at Rosehill.
Sporting the Blueblood Thoroughbreds silks, the Zac Lloyd ridden Mr Monaco was stepping up to black type racing for the first time and off the back of his impressive last start victory, the son of Territories started well in the market behind stablemate Juja Kibo (IRE).
After jumping from a wide gate, Lloyd took the 5yo forward where he settled wide with cover as the grey Don Diego De Vega (Fr) took up the running for jockey Ben Thompson.
Content to race three wide, Lloyd started to edge forward before the home turn at the 100m he had the audacity to join the race favourite as the pair looked set to battle it out.
Getting his head in front just before the line, Mr Monaco went on to record a long head victory from Phillip Stokes’ fast finishing Taramansour with favourite Juja Kibo holding on for third a further head back for Craig Williams.
Taking his overall record to five wins and three placed efforts from 15 starts with earnings of $382,250, Mr Monaco was elevated to the second line of betting for the G1 Sydney Cup behind the Chris Waller trained race favourite Soul Of Spain (IRE).
Winning trainer Ciaron Maher was extremely please for owners Blueblood Thoroughbreds.
“Monaco did it the tough way, but we knew he'd improve up to the mile and a half. Fantastic result. He's en route to the Sydney Cup now.”
When queried if he needs another run head of the Cup, Magher felt he would just wait and see, but was leaning to not running again.
“We'll just see. I wouldn't think, given how tough he is today and how well he's stayed, he probably wouldn't need another run.
“But we'll just see how he comes through. But, no, fantastic result. Louis Le Metayer and Bluebloods. Big day, great result.”
Having taken out the first two races, Lloyd was impressed with the win.
“He’s a strong stayer,” said Lloyd. “He went to the gates quite freely with me so I didn't want to really begin and give him much of a message because I thought that that could be a bit detrimental. So I tried to begin and just flow into a spot.”
“Ultimately, they sort of didn't go very quick and never really created many gaps for me, so I just had to ride what I was given and he got into a lovely rhythm. Still a tough ask to do so, he's a strong stayer.”
When asked how he feels the 5yo would cope with the step up to the Sydney Cup trip, Lloyd feels it would not pose an issue.
“I think that's going to be right up his alley considering he probably ran about 3,000 today, so he's ready to go.”
Purchased for 410,000 guineas by Astute Bloodstock and Ciaron Maher from the Imperium Sales at the 2024 Tattersalls Autumn Horses In Training Sale, the Bearstone Stud Limited bred Mr Monaco is the best of three winners out of the Sea The Stars mare Alle Stelle from an extensive European black type family.
Mr Monaco became the 21st stakes winner for former Darley shuttler Territories, with the progeny of the son of Invincible Spirit headed by three G1 winners.
