With a half-sister by I Am Invincible heading to the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale in January, the More Than Ready gelding Montauk could not have picked a better time to open his stakes account.
In an all Vinery Stud finish, Montauk gave country-based jockey Matthew Cahill a rare win in the big smoke when defeating the grand competitors Red Excitement (Excites) and Testashadow (Testa Rossa) in the Group III STC Summer Cup (2000m) at Randwick on Boxing Day.
Mighty Lucky (Casino Prince) made it a first four for Vinery.
It had been 12 starts since the son of More Than Ready (USA) recorded his previous win in a benchmark race at Randwick on February 4.
Always up in the leading division, Montauk outbattled Red Excitement by a half-neck with Testashadow a long-neck back in third. (photo Steve Hart).
The Chris Waller-trained gelding advances his record to 6 wins, 5 seconds and 5 thirds from 36 starts with earnings of $497,990.
"I got caught a bit wide early so I let him roll forward. Glyn Schofield gave me a few tips on him, he said don't annoy him too much so I didn't do that," Cahill said.
"He said he's a funny sort of horse with good ability and it's important to get along with him, no point bashing him.
"He kept sticking his head it for me and got the job done so it was great.
"I don't often get down here so to come and win the main race is wonderful a great Christmas present."
Purchased by Chris Waller Racing/Mulcaster Bloodstock for $190,000 at the 2014 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale, Montauk is one of six winners from as many to race out of the stakes-winning Octagonal mare Diamond Cove who has had nine consecutive live foals.
Vinery will consign Diamond Cove's I Am Invincible filly (pictured) to the Gold Coast in January, while her latest is colt by Brazen Beau.
