Monaco Consul a brave Caulfield Cup third

Stable star Monaco Consul had us very excited in the $2.5 million Gr.1 Caulfield Cup on Saturday, the high class four-year-old putting in a bold showing and doing everyone at Ballymore proud.

Sustaining a long, wide run around the field after getting back from his wide gate, the handsome brown entire joined the lead just that touch too early but even after Descarado and Harris Tweed got past him he rallied gamely and his 2.3 length third was a game one.

"He has to race a certain way," Michael Moroney said after the race, noting that Monaco Consul was back to his best form without being crowded by other horses, "and he just got to the lead too soon - once he got there he put his head up that little bit."

Asked if he was confident that Monaco Consul would run the two miles of next month's Melbourne Cup he said "I don't think that will be a problem at all."

"He doesn't need it as heavy as it was today," he added, "he just needs that little bit of give - and he is a better horse at Flemington."

Jockey Craig William was very pleased with Monaco Consul's effort - "I let him roll into the race and he felt really good," he said - "he is a very good stayer."

Likely to go straight into the Melbourne Cup without another run, Monaco Consul is building himself a formidable race record - wins in the Gr.1 VRC Derby and Spring Champion Stakes and thirds in the Gr.1 AJC Derby and Caulfield Cup. His prizemoney tally stands at an impressive $1.47 million.