Boss likes look of Montefilia

THREE-time Melbourne Cupwinning jockey Glen Boss is well-placed to offer his opinion on the famous Flemington feature and he’s tipping a minor upset this year.

Boss, best known for his association with legendary stayer Makybe Diva, believes Montefilia can add her name to the list of Cup-winning mares.

The champion hoop, appearing on Ladbrokes’ Performance Review with The Boss, said the David Paynetrained mare put the writing on the wall with her fast-finishing fourth in the Caulfield Cup.

“Montefilia. Her run in the Caulfield Cup was outstanding. She was back in the ruck in a slowly-run race, never got clean air until about 150m from home and absolutely hit the line with a red light on her head. Jason Collett will give this great mare a wind up and I think she’ll be very, very hard to beat,” he said.

Montefilia has been steady around the $11 quote, sharing the third line of Cup betting with UK raider Without A Fight.

Boss has plenty of respect for the $3.60 favourite Deauville Legend, but offered a word of warning for those keen on the lightly-raced international.

“If Deauville Legend turns up with his great international form, he probably just wins the race for fun,” Boss said. “(However), he’s a little bit cantankerous in the mounting yard.”

Deauville Legend has won three of his seven starts - one of those a dominant victory over Cox Plate placegetter El Bodegon.

A win for the favourite would see jockey Kerrin McEvoy move past Boss to the equal top of the tree alongside Harry White for most Melbourne Cup wins (four).