NZ Group 1 beckons for gifted Monovale graduate

Exciting age-group prospect Asturia is on the trail of a Classic success, which brothers Joe and Max Smithies came frustratingly close to last term.

The Waikato-based siblings bred the Almanzor filly under their Monovale Holdings banner and a dominant winning performance at Ellerslie has her in line for higher honours.

The Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson-trained representative was a stylish winner of Saturday’s Group 2 Soliloquy Stakes (1400m) and is now a $1.90 favourite to claim next month’s Group 1 Barneswood Farm New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton.

Monovale came close to top-flight victories last season when their home-bred and raced Autumn Glory won the Group 2 Waikato Guineas (2000m) before runner-up finishes in the Group 1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m) and Group 1 New Zealand Derby (2400m).

She was subsequently sold to Yulong Investments and has yet to make her Australian debut for trainers Mick Price and Michael Kent Jr.

Asturia has won two of her three starts, with a second in the Group 2 Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m) between victories.