Magic required for Montoya's Secret at Moonee Valley

Darryl Sherer - Tuesday September 26

Group I winner Montoya's Secret is nominated for two races at Moonee Valley on Friday night and co-trainer Troy Corstens has decided which one the mare will contest and who will ride.

Advertisement
Joao Moreira. Photo: HKJC

Last season's Group I Vinery Stud Stakes winner had the option of the Group III JRA Cup or the Group II Stocks Stakes.

Corstens, who trains Montoya's Secret in partnership with his father Leon, will run her against her own sex over the shorter trip.

"They are both worth the same but the Stocks is a Group II for mares, plus I want to give her one more run at the mile before we step her up in trip," Corstens said.

Montoya's Secret was beaten under four lengths when finishing eighth behind Hell Or Highwater last time out in the Listed Heatherlie Stakes over 1700m at Caulfield on September 2.

Corstens took the opportunity to take Montoya's Secret to gallop at Moonee Valley on Monday and was delighted he did.

"With that little bit of rain overnight she just loved the more forgiving surface there and she's come out of it really well," Corstens said.

"Her two runs back have been ok but not as good as we'd hoped. She just doesn't let down properly on a hard track and I'm putting the last start down to the track.

"I'm using the track as an excuse but I could be wrong, it might be that she just hasn't come up but we'll find out on Friday.''

With regular rider Noel Callow suspended, Corstens has been able to secure an able substitute.

"We've booked Joao Moreira to ride. We were able to get the Magic Man and thought why not use the best in the world?" Corstens said.

"Friday night is the fork in the road for the preparation and she needs to run well."


 
Advertisment
More Reading...
Pride And Proven - Private Eye Wins The G2 PB Lawrence Stakes
Taking his earnings past $12.3m for connections with his thirteenth career win, and seventh at black type level, Proven Thoroughbreds and Joe Pride’s gallant war-horse Private Eye (Al Maher) recorded and easy watch victory in the Gr2 P.B. Lawrence Stakes on Saturday at Caulfield.
Tajana Makes Brilliant Return in Breeders’ Stakes
The Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) has often been the one that got away for Shaune Ritchie, but Tajana’s superb first-up performance at Ruakaka on Saturday has the Cambridge trainer dreaming of a breakthrough in the Riccarton classic.
More Success for Pierro's War Eternal
Accomplished galloper War Eternal scored the fifth win of his career and took his earnings past A$750,000 with a determined victory in Saturday’s Captivant @ Kia Ora Handicap (1400m) at Rosehill.
Consecutive Wins for Farnan's Ninja
Highlighted as a Breednet One To Watch off the back of his impressive debut win, the Michael Freedman trained 3yo Farnan gelding Ninja continued his winning form, heading to the city on Saturday to record consecutive race victories.
Vain Stakes Success For I Am Invincible Colt Jimmy Recard
Bennett Racing appear to have another potential topline colt in their ownership as I Am Invincible colt Jimmy Recard records his third consecutive win, taking out the $200,000 Group 3 MRC Vain Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield.
Lightly Raced Ferivia Wins G3 Quezette Stakes
Making just her third race day appearance, the Phillip Stokes trained Astern filly Ferivia made the step to black type racing with ease, winning $200,000 Group 3 MRC Quezette Stakes on Saturday at Caulfield.
Another Promising Winner for St Mark’s Basilica
2021 European Horse of the Year St Mark’s Basilica (Fr) will be parading at Coolmore next Sunday and the champion son of Siyouni is warming to the task of siring winners with Venetian Prince opening his account at Newbury in the UK overnight.
Skyhook Asserts Authority In Rosebud Victory
Arguably one of the leading 2yo colts last season with victory in the Group 3 Pago Pago Stakes, Written Tycoon’s Skyhook resumed with a significant weight impost to win the Listed Rosebud at Rosehill on Saturday.
Five Straight and a Stakes Victory for Pop Award
There is a myriad of Snitzel sons at stud this spring, but for value and proven credentials it’s impossible to go past Rosemont Stud’s Cox Plate hero Shamus Award, who posted his first stakes-winner of the new season when exciting mare Pop Award landed the Listed MRC Regal Roller Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on Saturday.
Sires With Winners - Saturday August 16
Here is the full list of 118 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.