Caulfield and Melbourne Cups-bound stayer Mr Monaco takes the next important step of his spring campaign when he lines up second-up in the Group 2 Kingston Town Stakes at Royal Randwick this Saturday.
The Ciaron Maher-trained stayer has come through his excellent first-up assignment in the Listed Rowley Mile in good order and has since been given a trial to bring him along for Saturday’s 2000m contest.
That hit-out should have him arriving at Randwick a much fitter horse, although importantly, there is still plenty of improvement to come as Ciaron continues to build him towards his major spring targets.
With the Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup firmly on the radar, this preparation is all about having Mr Monaco progressing at the right time, and Ciaron has him ticking over beautifully as the distances increase.
Saturday represents another important stepping stone. He certainly won’t be at his top just yet, but we expect to see a fitter and more forward version of Mr Monaco as he continues to build towards the races that really matter later in the spring.
Regan Bayliss takes the ride on Saturday, with Mr Monaco drawing barrier 10 in the field of 14, plus one emergency.
The Kingston Town Stakes provides exactly the sort of test he needs at this stage of his campaign and should bring him on enormously as we continue along the road towards two of Australian racing’s greatest prizes.
The Cups dream is well and truly alive — and on Saturday, Mr Monaco takes another step towards it.
