Montjeu Colt Breaks Maiden

23rd September 2008

‘Cups King’ Bart Cumming unleashed a potential Derby candidate at Randwick on Tuesday when Roman Emperor (3c Montjeu x Gussy Godiva, by Last Tycoon) powered home to win his second race start over 1550 metres on the Kensington track.

Improving from a debut sixth to subsequent stakes-place-getter Back Off, Roman Emperor showed good potential in defeating blue-blooded filly Rocha (3f Encosta de Lago x Larrocha, by Danehill) by a head and will be aimed towards a run in the Group One AJC Spring Champion Stakes and looms as a Derby prospect for later in the season.

A $240,000 purchase for Bart Cummings from the draft of Little Avondale Stud at the 2007 NZB Premier Yearling Sale, Roman Emperor is a half-brother to Group Two Wellington Guineas winner Rios and his dam Gussy Godiva is a half-sister to US Group One winner Black Mamba.

Roman Emperor is another smart Australian winner for Montjeu, who is among the leading sires in Europe this year and on the Australasian front has been represented this season by the likes of Group Two winner Guillotine and stakes-placed three year-olds Lord Tavistock and Emperor Bonaparte.