Ciaron Maher tightened his grip on the staying ranks with a remarkable clean sweep of Saturday’s Group 2 $750,000 Ladbrokes Moonee Valley Gold Cup (2500m) at Flemington, with emerging stayer Juja Kibo leading home stablemates Kings Valley and Mr Monaco in a memorable one-two-three finish.

The imported son of Belardo continued his outstanding spring campaign with another tough victory in the Moonee Valley Gold Cup 2026 results adding the Group 2 to his Sydney Group 1 The Metropolitan success and enhancing his credentials for the upcoming Group 1 $10.2 million Melbourne Cup (3200m) on Tuesday November 3.

The result triggered significant movement in the Melbourne Cup 2026 betting markets, with Juja Kibo firming from $26 into $13, runner-up Kings Valley shortening from $101 into $51, and third-placed Mr Monaco trimming from $51 into $34 with Ladbrokes as punters rushed to assess Maher’s formidable Cup team.

Juja Kibo Continues Cup Dream Run

Starting at $7.50, Juja Kibo showcased both versatility and acceleration to overcome a slowly run race before charging home under Sam Clipperton to score by half a length in a quality staying contest and earn a ballot free ride into the Melbourne Cup 2026 field.

JUJA KIBO STORMS OVER THE TOP ?

Ciaron Maher gets the trifecta in the Moonee Valley Gold Cup and has another Melbourne Cup runner as Sam Clipperton gets his first winner at Flemington!@cmaherracing pic.twitter.com/Auk1AngNqT

— 7HorseRacing ? (@7horseracing) October 24, 2026

2026 Moonee Valley Gold Cup Results

Winning Time: 2:38.68
Margins: ½ Length x Long Head

The victory was the six-year-old’s sixth career win and pushed his earnings beyond $1.3 million, while further strengthening an already impressive staying résumé that includes this spring’s The Metrop at Randwick on Epsom Day.

Maher Pays Tribute to Clipperton-Horse Partnership

Maher revealed Clipperton’s association with Juja Kibo has played a significant role in the gelding’s recent improvement, explaining the jockey had actively sought the ride after spending considerable time with the horse at trackwork.

“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,” he told Racing Victoria.

“He said he would make the weight, and he had been galloping him and knew how good he was going.”

The trainer said Clipperton’s confidence in the horse only grew after his previous run.

“He won the race and asked if he could come down here,” he added.

“I spoke to the owners, he had a night out with them up there I think, and that sealed the deal.

“They were all on board and since his last run Sam rode him and said he’s improved again.”

The jockey’s faith was rewarded in style.

Turn Of Foot Impresses Maher

Despite the lack of tempo throughout the race, Juja Kibo was able to produce a powerful sprint when it mattered.

“He was fantastic,” Maher said.

“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 admitted he was equally impressed by the runs of his other two placegetters.

“Kings Valley was back there as well and I thought he was no chance,” he said.

The trainer felt Kings Valley was unlucky not to have featured more prominently in the Caulfield Cup when 2.4 lengths fifth to Kingswood last weekend and was pleased to see the gelding return to form.

“He was a bit unlucky in a Caulfield Cup not to be fighting out the finish, so he’s running into form,” Maher said.

As for Mr Monaco, Maher indicated the run served as the perfect lead-up heading towards bigger targets.

“And Jabez and Mr Monaco, that was a nice tickover for next Tuesday,” he said.

Melbourne Cup Opportunity for Johnstone

One of the more heartwarming aspects of the result was the performance of apprentice Jabez Johnstone, who guided Mr Monaco into third and remains firmly in the Melbourne Cup picture.

Maher was full of praise for the young Tasmanian rider.

“He definitely has [earned his ride in the Melbourne Cup],” Maher confirmed.

“He will need to eat his weeties a bit because his arms looked like they were getting longer the further the race was going on.

“He’s got a bit of confidence in the horse and himself and you never know when you’ve got a weight like that.”

Maher’s Strongest Cup Team Yet

With several runners peaking at the right time, Maher believes he is taking one of his deepest Melbourne Cup squads into the race.

“Definitely,” he said with confidence.

“They seem to be coming together at the right time.

“They’re going well, they’re in their right races and the team are doing a great job and I’m very proud.”

Given Saturday’s performance, it is hard to argue with that assessment.

Clipperton Relishing Spring Carnival Return

Winning jockey Sam Clipperton was understandably thrilled after partnering Juja Kibo to another major staying victory.

“He’s absolutely airborne,” he said post-win.

“I’m so proud to be a part of this horse’s preparation.”

Clipperton paid tribute to the powerful Maher operation and the ownership group for their faith.

“Thank you to Ciaron Maher and his whole team in Sydney and Victoria,” he added.

“The great owners as well for having me on.

“Big team effort by them all.”

The rider believes the horse is only going to get better with the rise to two miles in the Melbourne Cup.

“He’s an absolute gentleman and he took a fair bit of pulling up,” he explained.

“He’s got his spot in the Melbourne Cup and I think he’s going to relish the two-mile.”

Remarkable Career Turnaround

For Clipperton, the victory carried additional significance given where he was 18 months ago.

“A year-and-a-half ago I was drafting cattle up in the Hunter Valley and now I’m back here riding winners in the Spring Carnival in Melbourne,” he said.

The jockey credited his support network for helping him return to the top level.

“I’ve got a great team behind me, great people, my fiancée and my manager, mum and dad and everyone else involved,” he added.

“It is hard work and this certainly makes it worth it.”

Melbourne Cup Markets React

The betting market was quick to acknowledge the significance of the Flemington staying feature.

Juja Kibo’s authoritative performance saw him firm sharply into $13 in Melbourne Cup 2026 betting, while stablemates Kings Valley and Mr Monaco also attracted strong support following the Maher trifecta.

With proven staying credentials, excellent recent form and a trainer renowned for targeting Australia’s biggest races, Juja Kibo now looms as one of the major threats in the ‘race that stops a nation’.

He faces a notable historical hurdle however as no stayer has completed the Moonee Valley Gold Cup – Melbourne Cup double in the same season since the mighty Kingston Rule (1990).

If Saturday’s performance was any guide, the Melbourne Cup may not be the only major staying prize in his future. Ciaron Maher’s staying army is peaking at exactly the right time, and Juja Kibo has emerged as its leading general.

Full Moonee Valley Gold Cup 2026 Results