Sam Clipperton anticipates a more comfortable Melbourne Cup Day assignment thanks to Juja Kibo’s Moonee Valley Cup victory, which brought a weight penalty. However, the jockey had already committed to riding the in-form stayer regardless of the added weight.
Clipperton, typically riding around 55kg, had begun preparing to partner Juja Kibo at 53.5kg. The 1.5kg penalty the horse incurred for its dominant last-start win was thus an added bonus.
“I said to them, ‘I’ll ride him at 53-1/2 if he gets in without the penalty. I was committed, so my weight is already good,” Clipperton stated. “Now he’s got 55, so I’ll be feeling dangerous on Tuesday.”.
Clipperton has been aboard Juja Kibo for all four of its starts this preparation. Notable successes include victories in the Metropolitan (2400m) at Randwick and the Moonee Valley Cup (2500m) at Flemington.
Although the Ciaron Maher-trained stayer finished in the midfield during its only two-mile attempt in the Sydney Cup, Clipperton believes Juja Kibo is a transformed horse this spring.
“You can say they’ll run two-miles all you want, but I think he is incredibly clean-winded and last start, I couldn’t pull him up until way over the back near the 1400. I think he’ll be no dramas,” he remarked. “It’s the right time now. Last spring he was nearly the early favourite for the ‘Metrop’ and ran third. He wasn’t quite seasoned. In the autumn, he wasn’t going that well and he was still running some placings. This time around, he’s really seasoned and has improved every run.”.
This progressive race record is the foundation of Clipperton’s optimism for Juja Kibo.
From placing in the Rowley Mile (1600m) and Kingston Town Stakes (2000m) to commence his campaign, the horse has consistently elevated its performance.
Juja Kibo will need to perform even better to contend in Australia’s most prestigious race, but Clipperton is convinced of its capabilities.
“I have a lot of belief in him. Every time I’ve ridden him, he’s improved,” Clipperton said. “He’s had a beautiful foundation for the two-miles, and he’s had the right lead-ups. He’s a horse who, in himself, is full of confidence and he’s so push-button. There’s no locked in pattern with him. He doesn’t have to have things go his way. He can adapt, which is so important. He switches off and he’s got a turn of foot. He ticks a lot of boxes. All things being even, he’ll run the race of his life on Tuesday.”.
Juja Kibo represents Clipperton’s second Melbourne Cup ride, following Stockman, who secured eighth place behind Gold Trip in 2022.
The jockey considers his current mount a superior galloper and himself a more experienced rider.
“If Stockman can run eighth, nothing against beautiful Stockman, but he didn’t have the attributes of Juja Kibo,” Clipperton commented. “I’ve had a bit of experience at Flemington now. I’m so excited.”.
Punters looking to back Juja Kibo in the Melbourne Cup can find competitive racing odds at Australian betting sites.