Group-bound mare heads top result for southern stable

Montoya Star will head to a Group Three feature later this month at the top of her game.

The High Chaparral mare was successful at Hastings on Thursday with a narrow defeat of her stablemate Son Of Maher in the Karaka Million Nominations Close 6 March 1400m.

“That’s a great result, really good,” said Michael Pitman, who trains at Riccarton with his son Matthew. “She’s going to the Cuddle Stakes at Trentham next, that’s what she’s up here for.”

Montoya Star has now won eight races and her last-start fourth behind Thee Auld Floozie, Lizzie L’Amour and Coldplay in the Gr.2 Westbury Classic (1400m) was a strong pointer to her chances at Hawke’s Bay.

“She was super at Auckland, she was beaten by probably the best three mares currently racing in the country,” Pitman said.

At Hastings, Montoya Star settled just off the pace on the rail and when clear she powered home under jockey Michael McNab to collar Son Of Maher, who was partnered by Sam Weatherley.

“It was a really good ride, three back on the fence is the place to be on her, and it was an equally good ride on the second horse as well,” Pitman said.

While Montoya Star’s immediate future is locked in, plans for Son Of Maher have yet to be confirmed.

“I’m going to think about that. He might run in the Lightning at Trentham or go home, I’m not quite sure yet.”

The stablemates finished clear of Miss Wilson, who got home well for third after striking traffic problems.