Narrabri pacer Kid Montana did not disappoint his followers when the five year old gelding won the $12,000 Tattersalls Hotel Armidale Cup on Sunday afternoon as part of the Clubs Carnival of Cups meeting.
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Touted as the likely winner heading into the 2360 metre feature race, Kid Montana commenced as $1.22 favourite from the nine barrier.
"He is a very nice horse around this area. He has got a bit of speed and he can do some work in his races; he is just a pleasure to drive," part owner and reinsman Chris Shepherdson said.
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Shepherdson sent Kid Montana three wide around the field - two laps from home - to take over the race lead from Queensland pacer Dollarbill driven by Angus Garrard.
"I was up in the air as to what to do in that race - they started to walk early and I thought I would get around the field cheaply, but it definitely wasn't cheap in the end, Shepherdson said.
"It's lucky he has got a little bit a speed and was able to burn that."
Leading the field, Kid Montana had Shadow Dealer (Tony Missen) racing to his outside before Shepherdson decided to let Kid Montana increase the tempo turning into the final bend.
"He was getting tired on the line but he was entitled to," Shepherdson said.
Kid Montana claimed a eventual 4.6 metre win over fellow Narrabri pacer Corporal Luna, while Dollarbill was 3.3 metres away third.
"He has gone super for the two weeks that he raced at Albion Park and I would like to say a big thank you to Lola Weidemann as she stables us when we are up there," Shepherdson said.
"It was a brilliant drive by Lola when he (Kid Montana) won at Albion Park last week."
Kid Montana made it three wins on the trot in taking out the Armidale Cup, with his prior two wins being at Albion Park.
The son of Rock N Roll Heaven now has his name firmly etched in history, taking out a Wee Waa Cup, Narrabri Cup and now an Armidale Cup with his next start looking to be in Newcastle.
"He has got a good record on the Armidale track, but he will probably start at Newcastle next start," Shepherdson said.
Kid Montana has produced 23 wins for his group of owners and $116,000 in prize purse, and for this season alone has had 12 races starts for six wins and two placings.
"We have never been in it for the money - we brought him (Kid Montana) cheaply and he has given us a good run so we won't be selling him - we are having too much fun with him," Shepherdson said.
