Blinkers To Go Back On Monton

Sunday, 09 January 2011 06:45

Blinkers will go back on Monton in an attempt to get him back in the winners' circle in New Zealand's Telegraph Handicap at Trentham.

The Sydneysider started favourite in the first of New Zealand's big sprints, the Railway on New Year's Day, but he could only manage eighth in the Ellerslie feature won by outsider Miss Raggedy Ann.

Trainer Tim Martin is confident the four-year-old can show his best in Wellington on January 22 and come away with a Group One win.

"He pulled up well but then again he should, he didn't do anything in the race," Martin said.

"He's had a good week and the blinkers will go back on.

"He needs to be ridden quieter.

"It's going to be a tough race but I think he can certainly do a lot better."

The Gai Waterhouse-trained Swift Alliance is the $3.50 favourite with the NZ TAB while Saturday's Caulfield winner First Command is at $9 while Monton rounds out the Australian contingent at $10.

Last season's NZ Filly of the Year winner Katie Lee is an $8 chance and will have the services of Australian jockey Corey Brown.

Katie Lee's owner Sir Patrick Hogan requested Brown when regular rider Opie Bosson told him he would not be able to make the filly's 53 kilograms.

"I've been to New Zealand to ride at Ellerslie but I've never ridden at Trentham," Brown said.

"Sir Patrick asked for me when Opie couldn't make the weight and I'm only too happy to say yes.

"I rode for him when I was with Lee Freedman in Melbourne as he had horses there."

Brown said Katie Lee's trainers Graeme and Debbie Rogerson would have other runners on the program and he hoped to pick up more rides from the camp.

First Command is topweight with 58.5kg while Swift Alliance has not yet been handicapped as he will be among late nominations which close on January 18.

A Group Two winner of the 2009 Caulfield Sprint, First Command has won nine of his 17 starts, six with Dwayne Dunn aboard.

Dunn said he hoped to be asked to partner First Command in his New Zealand assignment.