Battle-scarred mare Montahlia has bounced back from injury for a consolation win in the Werribee Cup.
The seven-year-old’s campaign was derailed last month when she pulled a muscle in her hindquarters forcing her to miss last Monday’s Adelaide Cup (3200m).
Trainer Mick Kent said he decided to take his chances with Montahlia in Friday’s Werribee Cup (2630m) which he viewed as a crucial lead-up for next Friday night’s $100,000 Moonee Valley Night Racing Stayers Challenge Final (3000m).
“We agonised over taking her to Adelaide but she had missed a bit of work with muscle soreness so we decided to come here instead,” Kent said.
“She hadn’t raced for five weeks and wasn’t as fit as she could be today but she stays so well.”
Noted distance rider Glen Boss said Montahlia “struggled” in the Cup, but he made an attacking move from the 700m which won the race.
Turning for home the Cup turned into a three-horse battle between Montahlia, Upon and Elmore.
As Elmore, who was the widest of trio, began to drop off it came down to a race in two with Montahlia staving off the challenge from Upon to score by a half-length. Elmore was a tiring third 2-1/2 lengths away.
Boss described Montahlia’s win as “very brave”.
“She struggled throughout the whole race,” he said.
“I thought if I get going early and get some rhythm she might keep going.
“She was exposed and was there to be beaten but did a really tough job.
“I had to make a 700-metre run but she is that type of horse. She is one-paced.”
A daughter of Montjeu, Montahlia has only raced 25 times because of injury and has won six races, including the first Werribee Cup on the new track.
The last Cup run at Werribee was in 2007.
Kent said Montahlia first bowed a tendon in January 2009 and that this year’s Adelaide Cup was to make up for her bowing her tendon leading up to the feature a year ago.
He said the Werribee Cup would peak her for the Moonee Valley Stayers Challenge Final.
“She will improve and excels in longer races,” Kent said.
“She is a mare of some quality.”
AAP TURF
