Dual Group One-winner Montefilia will resume in the Group Two Chelmsford Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on Saturday.
The daughter of Kermadec didn’t win a race during the autumn, but still put in great performances against the boys in the Rosehill Guineas and ATC Derby before finishing fifth in the ATC Oaks.
The four-year-old holds nominations for both the Melbourne Cup and Caulfield Cups, as well as the Cox Plate.
They’re keeping they’re options open with Montefilia, who has returned a more mature mare this preparation.
“She’s come back much, much stronger, more mature,” her trainer David Payne said.
“She’s filled out nicely. We’re very pleased with her.
“We want to get past Saturday first, then we’ll go to the Kingston Town, and then we’ll decide (on her program).
“She’s in all the races, so we’ve got choices.
“We’ll just see how she goes in the first couple of races.
“She’s going in well. It’s not really her game 1600m, but she’s fit and she’ll run a good race.”
Payne will also saddle-up last start winner Bazooka in the Midway (1800m).
It was only the second win for the son of Smart Missile who has been stakes placed during prior campaigns.
Saturday will be the four-year-old’s seventh start this preparation, but Payne says he’s showing no signs of slowing down.
“He’s tough, he’s well, so he’ll tell me when he’s had enough,” he said.
“He’s a young horse so he’ll be around a long time most probably.
“I’m sure he could pick up a listed race or something like that.
“We go race-by-race with him. He’s tough, he’s well, so he’ll tell me when he’s had enough.”
“He’s well and he’ll be competitive again.”
Montefilia is an $8 chance for Saturday’s Chelmsford Stakes, as well as a $34 and a $51 chance for the Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup respectively.
