Written by Richard Edmunds
David Payne hopes an impressive Rosehill victory by Montefilia (Kermadec {NZ}) might be the first step along a road to Group 1 glory.
The 3-year-old filly scored her second win from just four starts with a tough performance in Saturday’s Sky Racing Active H., prompting Payne to set his sights on bigger and better things.
“She’s very good,” he said. “She is only a baby and has had only three runs before this and this is her fourth, taking on tough horses.
“I think she is my Oaks filly. I knew she would keep going. She will improve off that as well, because she is still learning the game.
“I think she is my Oaks filly. I knew she would keep going." - David Payne
“I will put her out now and give her two weeks and then aim for the 3-year-old races, but she might be better than I think.”
Montefilia is now rated a $16 chance for the G1 Flight S. at Randwick on October 3, and she has been promoted to $15 third favouritism for the G1 VRC Oaks on November 5.
Payne has never operated one of the largest stables in Australia, but he has rarely been short of a quality performer.
The expat South African trainer’s roll of honour includes G1 Flight S. heroine Unearthly (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}), G1 TJ Smith S. winner Master Of Design (Redoute’s Choice), and the G1 Victoria Derby and Spring Champion S. star Ace High.
Payne also oversaw the early career of Criterion (NZ), guiding him to victories in the G1 Rosehill Guineas and Australian Derby.
“I always seem to find one somewhere,” he said. “We need it – we only have a small string. But I think she (Montefilia) could be something special.”
Winning rider Glen Boss agreed with that assessment after Saturday’s gritty performance. After settling in fifth, Montefilia surged forward and made her move well before the home turn, but fought hard all of the way down the straight to score by 1.25l.
“She’s a nice filly,” he said. “She does everything right. It can be whatever David chooses with her, because when she gets fit, all you will have to do is maintain it, because she is not overly big.”
Montefilia as a yearling
Montefilia was bred in Victoria by Mr G Russell, and she was bought by Payne for $130,000 from Tyreel Stud’s draft at the 2019 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
The filly’s debut victory in March gave young Darley stallion Kermadec (NZ) his first winner among his first crop of 2-year-olds.
Standing for a 2020 service fee of $13,750 inc GST, Kermadec is now the sire of three winners from 15 runners.
