Trainer Ciaron Maher has boosted his Melbourne Cup contenders with Juja Kibo securing a ‘Golden Ticket’ through a commanding victory in the Moonee Valley Cup.
Following a recent win in The Metropolitan (2400m) at Randwick on October 3, Juja Kibo delivered a potent finishing burst to clinch the Group 2 Moonee Valley Gold Cup (2500m) at Flemington on Saturday.
The Moonee Valley Gold Cup offered the final ballot-free exemption into the prestigious Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington on November 3.
Victorian racing has hosted six of these qualifying races, with Maher effectively capitalising on the opportunities.
Earlier, Shockletz triumphed in The Archer in September for Maher, followed by Mr Monaco winning The Bart Cummings and Point Of Law taking out the Geelong Cup on Wednesday.
Juja Kibo’s victory marks the latest addition to Maher’s stable with a guaranteed spot in the Melbourne Cup, bringing his safely qualified runners to seven in the 24-horse field.
Among the other confirmed starters for Maher are Royal Supremacy, Middle Earth, and Saint George, with Zahrann currently occupying the 25th position.
“They seem to be coming together at the right time,” Maher commented. “They’re going well, they’re in their right races and the team are doing a great job and I’m very proud.”
Ridden by Sam Clipperton, Juja Kibo, who started at $7.50, won by a half-length over stablemate Kings Valley ($13). Another stablemate, Mr Monaco ($16), finished a long head further back in third.
Maher lauded Clipperton’s dedication and hard work riding the stayer throughout this campaign in Sydney.
“Sam, since he’s come back from his break, he’s done a lot of work for the stable and he asked if he could ride him,” Maher explained. “He said he would make the weight, and he had been galloping him and knew how good he was going. He won the race (The Metropolitan) and asked if he could come down here. I spoke to the owners, he had a night out with them up there I think, and that sealed the deal, but they were all on board, and since his last run, Sam rode him, and said he’s improved again. He was fantastic. To come off a slow speed and show such a good turn of foot, carrying a decent amount of weight, it was a pretty good win.”
Maher also expressed his satisfaction with the performances of the runner-up Kings Valley and the third-placed Mr Monaco, who has now earned Tasmanian apprentice Jabez Johnstone a ride in the Melbourne Cup.
“Kings Valley was back there as well, and I thought he was no chance,” Maher stated. “He was a bit unlucky in a Caulfield Cup not to be fighting out the finish, so he’s running into form and Jabez and Mr Monaco, that was a nice tickover for next Tuesday (week).”
For those looking to get involved, the racing betting markets for the Melbourne Cup are already heating up. You can explore Australian betting sites for the best odds.