News

Monton courageous in Inglis Villiers

17th Dec 2011

Despite a torrid run the Ron Quinton trained Monton showed tremendous courage and fight to score in the Group 2 ATC Inglis Villiers Stakes (1600m) at Warwick Farm this afternoon.

A last start winner of the Listed ATC Festival Stakes at Rosehill, Monton was forced to sit three wide without cover for the entire journey after jumping from barrier 15, but red hot jockey Hugh Bowman had the gelding travelling within himself around the final corner before unleashing a superior turn of foot to storm away to a tough victory over Kontiki Park and King Lionheart.

By Yarraman Park’s ill-fated Golden Slipper winning stallion Catbird, MONTON ($80,000 2008 Easter, 5g Catbird-Dynamic Flyer) was purchased by David Lamond from the Brooklyn Lodge draft at the 2008 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale for $80,000.

Today was Monton’s second win at Group 2 level following victory in the Hobartville Stakes back in 2010, and connections will look to boost his career prizemoney well past his current $430,000 as they look towards next year’s Group 1 ATC Doncaster Handicap.

"I tried to go back and get a spot, but got caught three wide with no cover, and I thought I’ve got the punters in one ear saying ‘you should have left the kid [Sam Clipperton] on' and Ronny in the other saying 'just do what you think’s right son", said jockey Hugh Bowman.

"I just rated the horse, but he just gave a great kick for me, it was a courageous effort.

"I held onto him until I had to go and I felt I had a couple of lengths in hand when I straightened up and that was enough, but it was a courageous effort, he did it the hard way.

"I’ve ridden the horse in races without much luck but it’s great to get a win on him and to be honest it’s just great to get a big win for Ronny [Quinton]", said Bowman.

Monton was trainer Ron Quinton’s third winner of the Villiers Stakes, and the Randwick conditioner is looking forward to the next six months with today’s victor.

"The horse has gone the right way. He paraded good again today and remained calm and cool, so it was good," Quinton said.

"He didn’t have a lot of joy in the run but he overcame it.

"It’s great [to combine with Hugh] as he was an apprentice to me when he came down [from Dunedoo] and we’ve remained very very close friends.

"He’ll go for short break and come back in the Autumn [for the Doncaster]," Quinton advised.

Brooklyn Lodge at Aberdeen, the sales vendor of Monton, are set again to bring some great drafts to Inglis’ Select Yearling Sales in 2012, starting with 7 lots at the Sydney Classic Yearling Sale in January.

Brooklyn Lodge will then be amongst a dozen new vendors to bring drafts to the 2012 Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearlings next February 27 to March 1.