Montoya’s Secret exploded from the track at the right time to claim victory in a very messy edition of the 2017 Vinery Stud Stakes at Rosehill Gardens this afternoon.
Montoya’s Secret and Nurse Kitchen fought out the finish in the 2017 Vinery Stud Stakes. Photo by: Steve Hart
Montoya’s Secret stepped up in class significantly following a dominant win at Moonee Valley on Adelaide Cup Day and there was plenty of speculation during the week that she would be scratched as Team Corstens were unsure whether she would handle the heavy track.
Troy Corstens made the decision to send Montoya’s Secret to Sydney for the Vinery Stud Stakes and it proved to be the winning move as she held-off an incredibly unlucky Nurse Kitchen to record a maiden Group 1 victory.
Co-trainer Leon Corstens was overwhelmed with emotion to have won the Vinery Stud Stakes with his son Troy and he played credit to his junior for making the decision to send her to the Group 1 event.
“The main thanks has to go to Troy,” Corstens said.
“If it had been left up to me I would have left her back home in her box because I didn’t think that she could handle the track.
“Troy is the instigator in this and he was quiet sure that she would handle it.
“He was right.
“We have our ups and downs and he certainly overruled me, but I’m pleased that he did.
“I was getting a bit worried around the 1000 because I thought that she should be going forwards and not backwards, but we got a good run after that and everything went to plan.”
Noel Callow was at his usual aggressive best in the Vinery Stud Stakes and his strength in the final stages was crucial.
The colourful hoop was clearly delighted to have claimed his first Group 1 win in Australia in over a decade and he believes that the daughter of High Chaparral will go into the Group 1 Australian Oaks (2400m) as a genuine chance.
“I drew a nice barrier, so it was pretty hard to stuff up,” Callow said.
“I tucked in behind Benny Melham and I just got shuffled back that length.
“In the end I got there too early and she wanted to have a look around.
“I have been overseas for a long time and now I’m back here doing my best.
“It is nice to get on a nice horse.”
Nurse Kitchen was arguably the most impressive run of the day in second and she will go to the Australian Oaks as one of the leading contenders, while Harlow Gold held-on narrowly for third.
