On Saturday at the esteemed Rosehill Racecourse, Tim Martin’s improving three-year-old Monton caused an upset when he took home the $200, 000 Group 2 Hobartville Stakes (1400m) ahead of a field full of smart three-year-olds.

Monton, ridden by gallant hoop Jay Ford, began the race as a $31 roughie but made the most of his inside barrier and went on to claim victory 1 1/2 lengths ahead of Royal Sovereign Stakes winner Shoot Out ($6) with another long-priced outsider Captain Sonador ($41) finishing off the shock trifecta three quarters of a length back.

The highly fancied favourite at $2.70, Gai Waterhouse’s Manhattan Rain, had a terrible run and could only manage to finish fifth behind Sir Hallowell ($11) in fourth.

Despite his less than impressive form in the Hobartville, Waterhouse is still looking towards this Saturday’s $750, 000 Group 1 Australian Guineas (1600m) with Manhattan Rain where he will face off against the up-and-coming star Denman.

Monton, a son of Catbird out of Dynamic Flyer, has now won three of his seven career starts for $232, 740 in prizemoney. He will now be prepared for the Group 1 Randwick Guineas (1600m) on March 13.

Two other great Group race features were held at Rosehill on Saturday. The Group 2 Silver Slipper Stakes where the brilliant and undefeated Snitzel filly Chance Bye claimed victory and the Group 3 Millie Fox Stakes won by Montana Flyer giving Gai Waterhouse some success on the day following Manhattan Rain’s lacklustre run in the Hobartville.

2010 Schweppes Hobartville Stakes Results: