Almanzor mare hits top form

Mon Etoile capped off the encouraging start she has made to her current campaign with a breakthrough victory at Kyneton.The David and Emma-Lee Browne-trained daughter of Almanzor had finished fourth when resuming at Terang off a six-month break before she finished runner-up at Bendigo.As a result of those showings, she was sent out a short-priced favourite and delivered in style over 1865 metres.“She’s always showed quite a bit, but she’s had niggly problems along the way so we’re really happy to get this result,” David Browne said.Mon Etoile settled midfield on the fence before she angled off the rail 600 metres from home and produced a sustained finish for a comfortable victory.“We wanted to ride her quietly from the gate, that’s her pattern. She’s taken a bit of time and will be a 2000 metre plus horse,” Browne said.The well-related Mon Etoile is a daughter of the Pins mare Etoile Filante, who won on five occasions and placed in the G2 Avondale Gild Cup. She was bred by Sir David Williams who remains in the ownership.