Drop in grade sees Montsegur take out the Thoroughbred Breeders Stakes

The Peter Snowden trained Montsegur appreciated the drop in grade with a determined win in the Group 3 $150,000 TBV Thoroughbred Breeders Stakes (1200m) at Flemington today.

Montsegur was sent out the heavily back favourite after being beaten just over four lengths by Miracles Of Life in the Group 1 $1m Patinack Farm Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield two weeks ago.

Melbourne foreman Paul Snowden said that the stable was happy with the way the New Approach filly pulled up after the Blue Diamond and was confident going into today’s race.

Montsegur has been a great flag bearer for young sire New Approach and as well as being the first winner for the sire in the Snowden stable, the filly became the first New Approach progeny to win a Stakes race.

“It’s quite satisfying. It was our first New Approach to race, she was a winner and now it’s the first one of his as a Stakes winner, so it’s great,” Paul Snowden said.

Snowden is uncertain if the filly will continue with an Autumn campaign and will see how she pulls up after the run.

“We’ll just let the dust settle and have a look and see, take stock and look and see how she comes through, but she’s so tough, she doing as well as what she ever did before,” Snowden said.

Craig Williams had Montsegur ($2.50 favourite) poised just behind the leaders and when a run appeared at the 400m, the filly edged her way through to draw level with Bulbula ($5) and pulled away on the line to score by half a length.

Third placegetter Diva Dee had a checked run mid race and worked to the line strongly to finish a length behind the second horse.

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.