I’m Too Hot runs away with the Montgomerie Lightning Plate named after the late Simone

Leeanne Montgomerie knew her daughter Simone was shining down on the family today when their horse won a race named in her honour.

Simone Montgomerie after riding Riccardo The Great in 2013. Picture: Elise Derwin

LEEANNE Montgomerie knew her daughter Simone was shining down on the family’s six-year-old gelding I’m Too Hot when he won 1000m sprint at Fannie Bay yesterday.

Simone Montgomerie was killed in a race fall on Darwin Cup Day, 2013, in a tragedy still remembered by racegoers across Australia.

SNAPPED at the Darwin Cup

But the tears yesterday were ones of joy as the family watched I’m Too Hot, with jockey Brendon Davis on board win the Seppelt Montogomerie Lightning Plate by 61/2 lengths in a race record time of 56.07 seconds.

Leanne Montgomerie, Des O'Keefe, Scott Leckey and Jane Perry celebrate I’m Too Hot winning the Seppelt Montogomerie Lightning Plate. Picture: KATRINA BRIDGEFORD

“I’m sure she (Simone) was shining down on us today, we think about her every day and it was just so exciting to win her race,’’ Leeanne Montgomerie said.

“I thought there had to be something that was going to catch it coming down the straight, but he just kept going.’’

Simone (left) pictured with other female Darwin's jockeys, Vanessa Arnott, Libby Hopwood, Cara Angel and Alana Brown. Picture: VARGHESE REGI

Trainer Gary Clarke said the family had bought the horse specifically for the sprint race.

“It took us a little bit to work him out, we tried to nurse him and he didn’t like that, he just wants to run fast and that’s what he did for us today,’’ Clarke said.

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“He can’t run further than 1000m but he always does it very quick and that was basically the plan.

“It’s a great result, a bit of happiness in the face of a tragedy, so it’s good for everybody.’’