The Sydney Cup appears to be the next target for the imported Mr Monaco following his impressive display of endurance in victory during the N E Manion Cup at Rosehill.

Even though positioned three-wide in the middle of the pack, Mr Monaco ($5.50) produced a determined closing burst to hold off the late-charging Taramansour ($31) by a long head, while his stable companion Juja Kibo ($3.70 fav) finished just a half-head further back in third.

Handler Ciaron Maher indicated that the five-year-old is headed towards Sydney’s premier two-mile contest at Randwick in the coming month and might go straight there without an intervening outing.

“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.”

Having competed initially in England, Mr Monaco came to Australia last year and concluded his three-race spring campaign with success at Caulfield.

Maher noted that the gelding has adhered to the typical development path for European imports and keeps progressing, and he was pleased with the performance of third-placed Juja Kibo, who is also destined for the Sydney Cup (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.”

Mr Monaco provided Zac Lloyd with an early brace after the apprentice claimed the Midway Handicap (1500m) aboard the Queensland Derby-headed Barrengarry, and although Lloyd endured a tough draw from a wide barrier in the N E Manion Cup (2400m), he believes Mr Monaco’s run bodes well for his prospects in the Sydney Cup.

“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.

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