Four-time Group 1 winner Montefilia has joined the Chris Waller stable, having previously been trained by David Payne.
Having provided Payne with four of his 14 Group 1 wins as a trainer, it leaves him without a genuine stable superstar ahead of the upcoming Spring Carnival.
The five-year-old mare has not been seen since finishing ninth in the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m), some 7.8 lengths behind Dubai Honour at Randwick on April 8.
Following that performance, the Kermadec mare was sold to Yulong Investments for $3.4 million at the 2023 Inglis Chairman’s Sale in May.
Montefilia has not tasted success since claiming the 2022 Group 1 Ranvet Stakes (2000m) when getting the better of Verry Elleegant in a dominant display.
Outside of that win, Montefilia has been successful in the 2021 Group 1 Metropolitan (2400m), 2020 Group 1 Flight Stakes (1600m) and 2021 Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes (2000m).
The Kiwi mare was aimed at some of the best races in the country during the spring of 2022, but could do no better than a fourth-place finish in the Caulfield Cup before going on to be beaten 23 lengths in the Melbourne Cup when finishing 16th.
Montefilia is currently a $51 chance with online bookmakers to claim the 2023 Melbourne Cup.
2023 Melbourne Cup odds
Montefilia to win
5yo Mare | T: Chris Waller
$51 with Bet365
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