While Ron Quinton‘s stable star Ofcourseican appears almost certain to begin a stud career this spring, two other horses will fly the flag at the elite level for the Sydney trainer.

Monton

Monton has returned to work and will be target the Group 1 Epsom Handicap - photo by Steve Hart

Ofcourseican provided Quinton with a Group 1 victory in the Coolmore Classic in March and he is hoping Crafty Irna and Monton can join the mare as top level winners this spring.

“As far as I know she’ll [Ofcourseican] go to stud,” Quinton said.

Quinton has tipped Crafty Irna to improve in a spring campaign that will feature a second tilt at the Group 1 Metropolitan (2400m) in October.

The daughter of Starcraft finished tenth in the $400,000 staying event last year but has since progressed physically.

“She’s probably been a touch short of Group 1 level so far,” Quinton said.

“But she keeps improving physically and if she can find an extra length or a length and a half she’ll be very competitive.

“Her aim will be the Metropolitan.”

Monton, a Group 2 winner in the Villiers Stakes last December, will get another chance in the top grade after struggling in two attempts in the autumn.

After impressing first-up with a runner-up effort to star mare More Joyous in the Group 2 Canterbury Stakes, the six-year-old finished towards the back of the field in both the George Ryder Stakes and the Doncaster Mile.

The six-year-old gelding has returned to work and will be targeted at the Group 1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) on October 6.

“He’s back in work now and aiming at the spring as well,” Quinton said.

“The target will be the Epsom and he’ll kick off in the Warwick Stakes on August 25.”

A winner of six of 23 starts, the son of Catbird has scored two black-type victories and collected more than $450,000 in prize money.

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