3 minute read

Freshen key to unlocking masterful performance from Montaro at Morphettville Parks on Saturday.

The once highly promising gelding has mixed his form since returning to Australia after a 2.5-year stint in Hong Kong but with a short fresh and drop in trip, Master Montaro looks set to run a very bold race at Morphettville Parks on Saturday and is this weekend's bet365 best bet (Race 3).

Bursting onto the scene with two impressive wins back in the Autumn of 2020, the son of Toronado was quickly shipped to Hong Kong to join the David A Hayes stable. While the gelding never quite reached the peaks many earmarked him for in Hong Kong, the now seven-year-old has always shown good ability.

Since returning to Australia Master Montaro has been better suited over the shorter journeys, with his top three ratings in six runs back being between 1100-1300m. Scoring third-up when running to 97 on the Racing and Sports scale (1300m), the gelding fell a head shy of making it back-to-back wins at Flemington when going a pound better (98) over 1200m.

Dropping off in the ratings at both attempts at 1400m, including last start at Sale, Master Montaro has been kept fresh for this with 34 days between runs as he steps back to 1250m.

The booking of leading hoop Jake Toeroek is a big push for his chances and the inside draw should see him travelling prominently throughout. If Master Montaro is anywhere near his best on Saturday, I expect him to prove far too classy in this 'One Metro Win Last Year' contest.

Another one I'm keen to follow up on is Validated from the P & B Blanch team (Race 7).

The four-year old was an eye-catcher first-up in the Group 3 John Hawkes Stakes when running two pounds off his peak (99) on the R&S scale but failed to follow it up last start at Flemington in Listed company.

Validated strikes a much easier assignment this time dropping back to a BM78 and is a noted improver with a couple of runs under his belt, posting his two peak ratings of 100 and 101 when third-up. 5/7 over this distance and 1/1 at the track, I expect Validated to be peeling off their backs when turning for home and be too strong for them over the concluding stages.

bet 365 Say from SA

Best: Race 3 #1 Master Montaro @ $3.80 with bet365*

Also backing: Race 7 #3 Validated @ $5.50 with bet365*

*Odds correct at 5pm, 6/6/24

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