Montefilia Takes On The Boys Again

The last time trainer David Payne's filly Montefilia (Kermadec-Bana Wu, by Shirocco) tackled the boys over 2000m on race day, the 3YO returned triumphant, winning the Gr1 Spring Champion Stakes to add to the Gr1 Flight Stakes she had captured the start prior. This Saturday, the dual Gr1-winning filly will step out in the Gr1 Rosehill Guineas as the lone filly in the race. Taking on last start Gr1 Randwick Guineas winner Lion's Roar (Contributer) and Gr1 Australian Guineas winner Lunar Fox (Foxwedge), the Jason Collett-ridden filly is jumping to the 2000m second-up after a 5-length sixth in the Gr1 Surround Stakes over 1400m on her campaign resumption. Notably, in her Spring Champion Stakes win she defeated Lion's Roar by three parts of a length, with the Arrowfield Stud-raced Bucharest (Deep Impact), who will also race on Saturday, finishing in third. Sold through the Inglis Great Southern Sale as a weanling for $62,000 before returning connections $130,000 after selling as yearling at the Magic Millions from the draft of Tyreel Stud, Montefilia's record of four wins and over $1.1m in earnings from her nine starts to date assures her of a high standing as a broodmare prospect in the years to come.

Montefilia takes on the males again (pic: Steve Hart)