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Daughter of Kermadec looking to add third Group 1 win to CV

Montefillia (Kermadec) will be chasing a slice of history when she tackles the Rosehill Guineas (Gr 1, 2000m) on Saturday, with the filly looking to become the first female in 32 years land the Group 1. 

The last filly to win the race was Riverina Charm (Sir Tristram) in 1989 and only eight have been successful since the race's inception in 1910. 

The David Payne-trained three-year-old has beaten the males before, running down Lion’s Roar (Contributer) - who she clashes with again on Saturday - in the Spring Champion Stakes (Gr 1, 2000m), having won her first Group 1 in the Flight Stakes (Gr 1, 1600m) on her previous start. 

"She's beaten the colts before and if you look at (Randwick Guineas winner) Lion's Roar, she's beaten him,” said Payne.

"The form is all there so we'll just see what happens." 

She had excuses when third in the VRC Oaks (Gr 1, 2500m) and Payne is keen to give her a chance at redemption in an autumn classic, although he is yet to decide whether that will be the Australian Oaks (Gr 1, 2400m) or the Australian Derby (Gr 1, 2400m). 

"There's the Oaks, that was going to be her swansong, but if she happens to win the Rosehill Guineas you've got to start looking at the Derby," he said. 

"She will only go to one. She's a young filly and we don't want to hurt her."