Kathy O'Hara eyes Epsom prize

Thursday 4 October 2012, 4:13pm

The loyalty shown to her by trainer Ron Quinton is the motivation behind Kathy O'Hara's quest to win Saturday's Epsom Handicap aboard Monton.

In March, O'Hara became just the fourth Australian female rider to win a Group One race, steering the Quinton-trained Ofcourseican to victory in the Coolmore Classic at Rosehill.

O'Hara said it was an amazing feeling to finally fulfill a goal she'd been pursuing for a decade.

"I went into it very hopeful and I suppose when you have a plan and it comes off, well, it's a good feeling, satisfying," O'Hara said.

For O'Hara, renewing her Group One association with Quinton aboard Monton in Saturday's Epsom Handicap (1600m) at Randwick will be a chance to repay the loyalty of her good friend.

"He's been incredibly loyal to me keeping me on that mare last time, and giving me another opportunity again in this horse," O'Hara said.

"Ronny doesn't owe me anything so I'm incredibly thankful for him to give me the opportunity to ride a horse like Monton.

"I'm hoping I can repay his loyalty."

While Saturday's race will be the first time O'Hara will ride the six-year-old gelding, she isn't too concerned.

She said Quinton's horses were always trained up to the mark and she and Quinton would discuss tactics pre-race.

"As a jockey you get on board knowing the (horse is) fit and prepared, and Ronny does that as well as anybody," she said.

"I've seen (Monton) race and seen how he runs, and any little quirks that the horse has, I've no doubt Ronny will let me know."

The gelding is proven at the 1600 metre journey having won the 2011 Villiers Stakes at Warwick Farm.

However after three unplaced runs this campaign, Monton is one of the outsiders for the Epsom at $61 with TAB fixed odds and he will have to overcome a wide draw in barrier 13.

Despite those odds, O'Hara believes Monton isn't without a chance.

She came close to winning the Epsom in 2005 as an apprentice when Johan's Toy ran second to Desert War.

"It's a race I've come close to winning, and I'd like to go one better," she said.

The Epsom mount on Monton will be one of two Group One rides for O'Hara on the Randwick program.

She will also partner the Gai Waterhouse-trained Reuben Percival in the Metropolitan Handicap (2400m), less than 40 minutes after the Epsom.

"I'm quite familiar with both races - there's not a lot of difference really," she said.

"It's just about knowing your form, your horse and horses around you."

– AAP

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