Montefilia erased any doubt about her ability to run out a strong 2400m when she scored a fighting win in Saturday’s $750,000 Group 1 Heineken Metropolitan at Randwick.
Bringing up the 100th Group 1 for Hugh Bowman, the David Payne-trained daughter of Kermadec staged a dramatic last furlong battle with Dundeel gelding Entente to prevail by a short-head.
The Bjorn Baker-trained Harpo Marx (IRE) (Galileo) was one and a quarter lengths back in third.
It was the third win at the highest level for Montefilia, following wins in the Spring Champion Stakes and Flight stakes last season at three.
The 4yo daughter of Kermadec advances her record to five wins, a second and four thirds from 15 starts with earnings of $1,758,525.
Everybody said she couldn’t stay a mile and a half, but I had no doubts that’s why she was in the race today,” Payne said.
“It’s a very special moment for Hughie today, just great to be a part of it.”
“She had to do it tough three-wide most of the way, but I just left it Hughie. No instructions needed, I just said do what you want to do.”
“She’s a special filly and will go to the Caulfield Cup now. Why not? “I’m pretty confident she gets the trip now.”
Bowman said it was a special milestone
“She is a mighty mare. I have had a wonderful association with her,” he said
“Twelve months ago we were unexpected winners of the Flight Stakes, and she has gone on to achieve at the highest level since then and also run consistently.
“I must admit I am very proud to have achieved it (100 stakes wins). Obviously, one horse was involved in a quarter of those 100 victories, which in of itself is amazing.
“I really miss having the atmosphere. It really is a bit of a dampener, even though I know it’s great that we are racing. The people and the fans and the racegoers on these big days, in particular, make the atmosphere for what it is. It just doesn't feel the same without them.”
A half-sister to stakes-placed best For What (Shalaa), Montefilia is the best of four winners from the stakes-placed Shirocco mare Bana Wu (GB).
Bana Wu (GB) was an accomplished racemare. She was consigned to the 2010 Tattersalls October Yearling Sale, where she was bought back by the vendor for 11,000gns. A year earlier, she was bought back for 5,000gns at the Tattersalls December Foal Sale.
Despite winning just a 10f maiden at Newbury in 13 starts for Andrew Balding, Bana Wu (GB) contested nine stakes races.
She placed in three of those at Listed level and was fourth in a further four, including the Group III Rockfel Stakes and the Group III Dahlia Stakes, both at Newmarket.
Bana Wu (GB) is a daughter of the Marju mare My Way, a half-sister to dual Group II winning 2yo Strategic Prince and the Listed winner Yorkshire.
Montefilia was pinhooked by Dean Harvey's Baystone Farm as a weanling for $62,000 out of the Tyreel Stud draft at the 2018 Inglis Great Southern Sale.
Re-offered by Tyreel a year later at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, Montefilia was bought by David Payne for $130,000.
In 2018, Tyreel Stud consigned Bana Wu (GB) to the 2018 Inglis Australian Broodmare Sale, where Sean Duke purchased her for $92,500.
She was carrying the Shalaa (IRE) filly Nice For What at the time.
Bana Wu (GB) has a 2yo filly by Ribchester (IRE). After missing in 2019, Bana Wu slipped last year.
Kermadec stands at Darley Victoria for a fee of $11,000.
