Whether Monton wants a spelling paddock instead of the winning post remains an unknown for trainer Ron Quinton ahead of the $150,000 Rowley Mile at Hawkesbury.
In a wide market on Saturday’s feature at the redesigned Sydney provincial track, Monton is one of the favourites for the Listed race.
But Monton’s presence near the top of betting isn’t enough to convince the Randwick trainer about the validity of his Rowley Mile chances.
Monton will be trying to end a long losing streak after an autumn campaign which began in lucklustre style on a wet track, improved dramatically to the point where he was nosed out of a Group One win in the Chipping Norton Stakes before he ended up down the course the Doncaster Mile.
It’s the residual effect of his Doncaster run that has Quinton second guessing his horse’s chances.
“It was a bog track and he worked very hard in the run so if the Doncaster hasn’t taken its toll I’m sure he’ll run well,” Quinton said.
“But he seems OK and he’ll run well if he hasn’t had enough.”
Monton almost pulled off one of the upsets of the autumn when he had the Chipping Norton Stakes snatched from him in the last stride by the multiple Group One winner Shoot Out.
The defeat continued a frustrating sequence of placings for the sprinter-miler since his 2011 Villiers Stakes win.
Josh Parr takes over on Monton from Christian Reith who will partner Speediness after chasing the ride on the last-start Caulfield winner.
Reith’s enthusiasm for the Speediness mount has given trainer Colin Scott added confidence about the five-year-old’s chances.
“Christian’s manager chased me down and I think that is a good sign knowing someone wants to really ride your horse,” Scott said.
Speediness is a $6 chance and Monton occupies the fourth line of betting at $7.50 behind the favourite Keith’s Legacy in a market that includes Moriarty ($8), a starter in the Wagga Wagga Gold Cup on Friday.
New Zealand mare Zonza will run in the Rowley for trainer Roger James instead of a restricted-class support race and leading jockey Kerrin McEvoy has declared his fitness for the meeting after riding in seven Randwick barrier trials on Friday.
