Reportedly sold for $1,500,000 to Hong Kong connections following his career debut win at Pakenham, the 3yo Toronado (IRE) gelding Master Montaro booked his ticket for Hong Kong with another hugely impressive performance over 1140m at Geelong on Friday.
After making his debut for Richard Laming, Master Montaro joined the team at Lindsay Park as he is expected to follow David Hayes to Hong Kong.
Under Hong Kong rules Master Montaro needed to lift his rating and he did that when putting on quite a show at Geelong.
With Michael Walker in the saddle, the son of Toronado (IRE) came from well back, circled the field out wide and was untroubled to defeat Sabotage (Savabeel) by three lengths with Common Purpose (I Am Invincible) a further half-length back in third.
"That's one of the best horses I've ever ridden," Walker told racing.com
"He's an absolute machine.
"His stride is so big; he just picks them up so easy."
"I told them that they're buying a star and I still think he still is after that.
"He gives me the feel of a miler, he takes ground off them just like that."
An $80,000 pinhook by Woburn Farm from the Swettenham Stud draft at the 2018 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale, Master Montaro made $300,000 to the bid of Laming Racing at the 2018 NZB Ready To Run Sale of 2YOs.
A half-brother to Modoc (Haradasun) who placed in the MRC Inglis 2YO Premier (RL) and Group II ATC Skyline Stakes, Master Montaro comes from a family nurtured by Gooree Stud.
His dam Circus Polka (Stravinsky) is a half-sister to the group 1 VRC Victoria Derby and Group 1 ATC Champagne Stakes winner Prized Icon (More Than Ready) as well as the Group III winners Matras (Zabeel) and Romantic Moon (More Than Ready).
A full brother to Master Montaro was purchased by Stuart Hale for $250,000 out of the Hallmark Stud draft at the 2019 NZB Yearling Sale at Karaka.
He has been named wise Counsel and is in training with Ciaron Maher & David Eustace.
There is plenty more to come as Circus polka has a yearling filly and a weanling colt by Toronado (IRE).
She was covered by Highland Reel (IRE) last spring but missed.
