breednet.com.au

Toronado's Master Montaro Remains Undefeated - Next Stop Hong Kong

Mark Smith - Friday May 29

Reportedly sold for $1,500,000 to Hong Kong connections following his career debut win at Pakenham, the 3yo Toronado (IRE) gelding Master Montaro booked his ticket for Hong Kong with another hugely impressive performance over 1140m at Geelong on Friday.

A pat for Master Montaro following another dominant performance (Reg Ryan/Racing Photos)

After making his debut for Richard Laming, Master Montaro joined the team at Lindsay Park as he is expected to follow David Hayes to Hong Kong.

Under Hong Kong rules Master Montaro needed to lift his rating and he did that when putting on quite a show at Geelong.

With Michael Walker in the saddle, the son of Toronado (IRE) came from well back, circled the field out wide and was untroubled to defeat Sabotage (Savabeel) by three lengths with Common Purpose (I Am Invincible) a further half-length back in third.

"That's one of the best horses I've ever ridden," Walker told racing.com

"He's an absolute machine.

"His stride is so big; he just picks them up so easy."

"I told them that they're buying a star and I still think he still is after that.

"He gives me the feel of a miler, he takes ground off them just like that."

Advertisement

An $80,000 pinhook by Woburn Farm from the Swettenham Stud draft at the 2018 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale, Master Montaro made $300,000 to the bid of Laming Racing at the 2018 NZB Ready To Run Sale of 2YOs.

A half-brother to Modoc (Haradasun) who placed in the MRC Inglis 2YO Premier (RL) and Group II ATC Skyline Stakes, Master Montaro comes from a family nurtured by Gooree Stud.

His dam Circus Polka (Stravinsky) is a half-sister to the group 1 VRC Victoria Derby and Group 1 ATC Champagne Stakes winner Prized Icon (More Than Ready) as well as the Group III winners Matras (Zabeel) and Romantic Moon (More Than Ready).

A full brother to Master Montaro was purchased by Stuart Hale for $250,000 out of the Hallmark Stud draft at the 2019 NZB Yearling Sale at Karaka.

He has been named wise Counsel and is in training with Ciaron Maher & David Eustace.

There is plenty more to come as Circus polka has a yearling filly and a weanling colt by Toronado (IRE).

She was covered by Highland Reel (IRE) last spring but missed.

Advertisment

Race Result - Hayden Real Estate (Bm70) 1140m

Geelong Track: Good(4) Time: 1:06.73
1
Master Montaro
- 3g Toronado (IRE) x Circus Polka (AUS) (Stravinsky (USA))
Tnr: D & B Hayes & T Dabernig Rdr: M J Walker 56.5
MM Gold Coast Yearling Sale $230,000
Seller: North, Scone, NSW (As Agent)
Buyer: Salter Pastoral/Pat Ryan Racing
2
3.0
Sabotage
- 7g Savabeel (AUS) x Scenic Lil (AUS) (Scenic (IRE))
Tnr: Symon Wilde Rdr: B Rawiller 60
3
3.5
Common Purpose
- 6g I Am Invincible (AUS) x Calm Abiding (AUS) (Kampala (GB))
Tnr: Patrick Payne Rdr: W Egan 60
4
4.2
Naval Envoy
- 3g Smug (USA) x Tritri (AUS) (Tribu (AUS))
Tnr: Ms D Loos Rdr: Ben Thompson 56.5
5
6.2
Mastering
- 5g Smart Missile (AUS) x Malapert (AUS) (Encosta De Lago (AUS))
Tnr: M M Laurie Rdr: Matthew Cartwright 59.5
6
6.3
Written Gem
- 4m Written Tycoon (AUS) x Lakemba Gold (AUS) (Made Of Gold (USA))
Tnr: Jason Warren Rdr: Clayton Douglas 59.5
7
7.3
Strategic Force
- 6g Strategic Maneuver (AUS) x Stop It Madaam (AUS) (Mukddaam (USA))
Tnr: Symon Wilde Rdr: D Yendall 60.5
8
7.4
Gasworx
- 6g O'Reilly (NZ) x Kind Return (NZ) (Zabeel (NZ))
Tnr: G A Osborne Rdr: C Newitt 59.5
9
9.9
Good Offa
- 8g Bon Hoffa (AUS) x Valentine's Gift (AUS) (Ifrad (USA))
Tnr: Dane Smith Rdr: Jessica Eaton 58.5
10
10.7
Wildwood Jade
- 5m I Am Invincible (AUS) x Reflection Of Jade (AUS) (Show A Heart (AUS))
Tnr: Jason Warren Rdr: D W Stackhouse 58
More Reading...
Debut Winner for St Marks Basilica Highlights Sales Potential
The second crop of yearlings by European Horse of the Year St Mark’s Basilica (Fr) will hold plenty of interest for Aussie investors in 2026 with a debut winner at Wolverhampton in the UK overnight giving him 23 2YO winners this year in the Northern Hemisphere.
Wyong MM 2YO Classic – Sale Mail
The race to the $3million Magic Millions 2YO Classic in January hots up at Wyong on Wednesday with the running of the RL $200,000 MM Wyong 2YO Classic (1100m) which will test the form out of the Group III ATC Breeders Plate and Gimcrack Stakes.
La Dorada Seeking Fresh Start in NZ
Group One winner La Dorada will make her New Zealand return at Te Rapa this weekend following a frustrating spring in Melbourne.
Juvenile Trial Watch – Warwick Farm
There were just two heats for juveniles at Warwick Farm on Monday morning and both were won by Bjorn Baker trained youngsters with one of them the highest priced Australian sold yearling by first season sire Sword of State.
Unbeaten Toronado 4yo Kicks HK Career Off In Style
Toronado four year-old Master Montaro kicked his promising career off in style with am emphatic victory on International Day to keep his unbeaten record intact.
Pedigree Pointers – Karaka 2026
The 2026 NZB National Yearling Sales (January 25-29) offers buyers the cream of the New Zealand crop and in the weeks leading up to the sale we’ll go looking for pedigrees of interest for a myriad of reasons.
Plenty of Quality in Condensed Book 2 of Karaka 2026
A graduate trifecta in the Group One New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) provided a timely reminder of the quality that can be found in Book 2 of NZB’s National Yearling Sale, and more of the same can be expected at Karaka 2026.
Sires With Winners - Monday December 8
Here is the full list of 15 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Syndicate Owners Enjoying the Provence G1 Ride
Brent Cooper’s band of syndication supporters enjoyed a weekend to remember with a winning double headed by star racemare Provence in the Gr. 1 TAB Mufhasa Classic (1600m).
Juvenile Trial Watch – Randwick
Four heats for juveniles at Randwick on Tuesday morning and brilliant filly Shiki will have tightened her grip on favouritism for the $3million Magic Millions 2YO Classic next month following this dazzling display.