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BRISBANE: New Zealand trainer Peter McKenzie is hopeful his battle-scarred warrior Our Lord Monty can give him a winning farewell to another successful winter visit to Queensland in the Tattersall's Mile at Eagle Farm today.
McKenzie has plundered Brisbane's winter riches since he first crossed the Tasman as a part-owner of former top sprinter Mr Illusion in 1984.
"I first came here in 1984 with Mr Illusion when Bruce Marsh trained him the first time and he won the Stefan Sprint for us," McKenzie recalled.
He has made numerous trips back to Brisbane since and won several winter features including three Caloundra Cups (2400m) with Procyon (1991) and Empyreal in 2005 and 2006.
He also won two Ipswich Cups (2150m), with Sculptor this year and I Reign Supreme who he left in the care of former Gold Coast trainer Kaye Tinsley in 2000.
"I had another good horse called Destroyer's Image which won quite a few races including the Winter Series in Brisbane before I sold him," he said.
McKenzie returns to New Zealand tomorrow and is confident of success with Our Lord Monty., a 7-year-old son of His Royal Highness that has started only 17 times for five wins and seven placings.
"I bred him and leased him for three years but he never started in that time for his former owners," McKenzie said. "He's had his share of problems with injuries over the years but I think he's a good chance."
Our Lord Monty had his first start for McKenzie when finishing second in a maiden at Otaki in May last year before he won at his second outing at Foxton a week later.
"I'd had him for a while before he had his first run for me and it took him quite a while to come right," he said.
Our Lord Monty was runner-up to Hard To Catch in the Glasshouse Handicap (1400m) at Caloundra on June 30 before finishing a close sixth to Rasmussen in the Ascot Handicap (1300m) at Eagle Farm on July 7.
"He copped two lots of interference from the winner in the Glasshouse but it wasn't enough to warrant protesting," McKenzie said. "His last run over 1300m was too short for him and he was always on the back foot after he missed the start slightly.
"I think he'll run a big race."
- AAP
