Montara faces biggest test yet in $60,000 Classique

While winter proved a disappointing time for David and Stacey White with the retirement of their harness racing stable star Bet N Win, it has also paved the way for a new name to shine.

The couple and their young family have recently moved to train out of the Ashburton Racecourse and are developing a strong young team around them.

Currently leading the charge is exciting three-year-old filly Montara who has showed great promise in her four starts to date and steps up for her biggest test in tonight’s Group 2 Macca Lodge Sires’ Stakes Classique.

The filly also has sentimental value, being out of the first winner that the Whites trained in partnership, Far From True.

And that’s not lost on Stacey.

“She has always shown ability, but needed a bit of time, which seems to be paying dividends now.”

“We were lucky enough to have Jim Curtin break her in for us, and my Mum Lyn also did early preparation with her after David and I had our first baby Lachlan”

“We are now really excited to see how far she can go”

The first step in that progression will be when she takes on a sensational group of three-year-old trotting fillies tonight, maybe one of the deepest crops in recent memory.

But she looks ready to take the next step.

“We thought her last run was huge – she did a power of work and sectionals and data suggest even though she was beaten, we couldn’t be disappointed considering how close she did finish (behind Marikit).”

“We feel she has definitely taken a lot of benefit out of that run fitness wise, and her work has been sharper.”

The duo have also opted to put blinds on the daughter of What The Hill.

“We need to try and make the most of our draw advantage, and with her being quite relaxed at the races, we have opted to add the blinds in hope of getting her out of the gate well.”

If Montara is to take home the Group 2 feature it would certainly be a highlight for the duo albeit she has a little way to go to emulate her previous stablemate Bet N Win.

“Kenny is living his best life and still rehabbing while his suspensory injury settles down a bit.”

“I have been riding him when I can, and he seems to be really enjoying that.”

“He is very much a part of our family, and we are so lucky that he can be given the retirement he deserves after giving us so many great moments on the racetrack.”

Footnote : Montara is now at $15 after opening at $27 with Duchess Maria, Marikit and Petite Amour the most fancied runners.

The Classique goes at 7.45pm.

To see the field click here

By Brittany Graham for Harness Racing New Zealand