Montecristo makes his mark

Ocean Park’s son Montecristo justified his strong support at Swan Hill to deliver the first success of his fledgling career.

The Matthew Williams-trained three-year-old, who had placed in two of his three previous starts, was the recipient of a canny ride from Dean Yendall in the favourite’s first attempt at 1600 metres.

Stud graduate Montecristo tracked the leader to the turn and when the field fanned out wider across the course, Yendall stayed closest to the fence.

“The plan was to hold a spot from an inside barrier and he settled well and travelled nicely,” he said.

“I stayed on the rail and I’ve been around long enough to know where the better part of the track was.”

We sold Montecristo at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Weanling Sale to Ellesmere Thoroughbreds for $13,000.

He won both of his trials at Te Rapa and at Te Awamutu before he was purchased by OTI Racing and partners.

The three-year-old is the first foal of the Zoustar mare Terrelune, who is a half-sister to our G1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes winner Marky Mark.

Terrelune is a daughter of the two-time winner and Group performer My My Maree, a brother to the G1 South Australian Derby winner Testifiable, and is currently in foal to Almanzor.