Sam Clipperton has come a long way since he won his first stakes race three years ago.
On Saturday, he and Monton will be together again as the Ron Quinton-trained gelding lines up in the Listed Festival Stakes at Rosehill for the fourth time.
The winner of the past two Sydney apprentices’ premierships, Clipperton signalled his intentions as a senior rider with three winners at Randwick on Saturday.
And while he is now riding for Godolphin and other leading stables, Clipperton remains loyal to Monton and his former master Quinton.
After he won the 2011 Festival Stakes, Monton went on to claim the Group Two Villiers (1600m) in the hands of another Quinton graduate, Hugh Bowman.
Now an eight-year-old, Monton will be trying to turn back the clock at Rosehill and Quinton sees no reason why he can’t succeed.
“He is the same now as he ever was. Nothing’s changed,” Quinton said.
“He is a beautiful sound horse. Sure he’s getting older but he doesn’t know that.”
Clipperton is taking the transition from junior to senior ranks in his stride.
“It’s been a bit smoother than I thought,” he said.
“I have set myself goals a a senior rider. One of them is to win a Group One race within two years.
“The more people see me hopefully my name gets out there. The closest I’ve come to a Group One win was in the Epsom.”
Clipperton rode the John Thompson-trained Hooked to third in this year’s Epsom Handicap.
The Listed Festival Stakes (1500m) attracted 19 entries on Monday with Monton the highest rated on 108.
Mouro (106) has also been entered for the Recognition Stakes at Doomben with trainer Tony McEvoy to decide later in the week where he runs.
Quinton will wait until Tuesday before confirming a Rosehill start for two-year-old Let’s Make It Rain, one of 11 youngsters entered in the 1100m race.
“If I’m happy with him after he works, he will run,” he said.
“He’s had two trials and won his last one so I’ll see how he is.”
