It was a big Saturday for the Ciaron Maher stable with Group wins for Tempted, Saintly Dancer and The Next Episode, while a couple of imported stayers in Juja Kibo (IRE) and Mr Monaco (GB) put themselves in the picture for The Cups.
The $750,000 Group II ATC The Metropolitan (2400m) at Randwick was won by progressive stayer Juja Kibo, who arrived in Australia in August 2024.
He was bought privately after winning a maiden at Ballinrobe in Ireland at his second start and the son of Belardo has made improvement with every campaign in Australia with this victory his first stakes win.
Juja Kibo is the 21st stakes-winner for Lope de Vega stallion Belardo, who shuttled to New Zealand for a few seasons early in his career and is based these days in Turkey.
The $350,000 Group III VRC Bart Cummings (2520m) at Flemington was the other long distance staying feature on Saturday and was won by Mr Monaco (GB), whose win gives him automatic entry to the Melbourne Cup.
Mr Monaco was bought from the 2024 Tattersalls Autumn Horses in Training Sale for 410,000 guineas by Astute Bloodstock in partnership with Ciaron Maher.
Mr Monaco won the Group III ATC Manion Cup on a soft track earlier this year and was then 11th in the Sydney Cup on a good track, so connections will be hoping the rain sticks around over spring as he clearly likes some give in the ground.
He is one of 24 stakes-winners for Territories, who shuttled to Darley Australia for a few seasons and he is now based in India.
