Alessandro Volta crowns great week for Montjeu
10th May 2008
Alessandro Volta (3c Montjeu-Ventura Highway, by Machiavellian) led a 1-2 for both trainer Aidan O’Brien and Montjeu in the G3 Derby Trial at Lingfield on Saturday when coming home three-quarters of a length clear of King Of Rome (3c Montjeu-Amizette, by Forty Niner).
The winner was quoted as short as 10/1 to give Montjeu a third success in four years in the G1 Derby at Epsom next month after winning under Johnny Murtagh.
"It is a wide-open Derby," said Murtagh. "He is in the mix definitely. He will benefit from that run. The last race was a non-event, the saddle went back and I was trying to stay on him to keep him balanced, but he will tighten up and definitely know what it's all about the next day. After handling Lingfield I am sure he will be able to handle Epsom.
"He quickened up well coming down the hill but he didn't turn very well. It's hard to turn going at that speed, I suppose. He stayed the trip well, he will love the ground at Epsom and with that race under his belt he should improve again."
The winner, a 300,000gns yearling, looks to be the latest star bred by Meon Valley Stud.
Alessandro Volta’s win came 24 hours after Montjeu enjoyed a high-profile success in the G3 Ormonde Stakes at Chester on Friday with Macarthur (4c Montjeu-Out West, by Gone West), a full-brother to 2005 G1 Epsom Derby hero Motivator.
The four-year-old, bred by Deerfield Farm, scored readily by four lengths in the G3 Ormonde Stakes, again under Murtagh.
"He was much improved from the Curragh, the ground was desperate that day. His work has been good since then. He travelled round brilliantly on the bridle, when the false rail came he quickened up very well - I was very impressed with the way he quickened," said Murtagh
"He will improve for the run again and he would have no problem coming back to 1m4f, he might get quicker with racing."