Tim Martin is anxiously awaiting Wednesday's barrier draw for the Group One Randwick Guineas, believing in-form Monton's chances hinge on a decent gate.Monton caused an upset in the Group Two Hobartville Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill last start, beating interstate visitors Shoot Out, Captain Sonador and Sir Hallowell who are all set to line up again.The gelding drew the inside barrier in the Hobartville which allowed Jay Ford to give him the perfect run just behind the speed on the fence with cover

Tim Martin is anxiously awaiting Wednesday's barrier draw for the Group One Randwick Guineas, believing in-form Monton's chances hinge on a decent gate.

Monton caused an upset in the Group Two Hobartville Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill last start, beating interstate visitors Shoot Out, Captain Sonador and Sir Hallowell who are all set to line up again.

The gelding drew the inside barrier in the Hobartville which allowed Jay Ford to give him the perfect run just behind the speed on the fence with cover.

Martin believes Monton will again prove hard to beat provided the draw allows him to be ridden in a similar fashion in his first try at 1600m.

"He proved he can handle that class of horse which was the concern going into the Hobartville," Martin said.

"He's unknown at the mile but I think he will run the mile. Barriers are going to be essential though, he needs to draw a good barrier.

"(From barrier one) last start he was able to get a nice cart and that makes all the difference.

"My confidence will enhance if he draws a good barrier."

Martin has also had a change of heart and has decided to run Monton's stablemate Indian Ocean in the Guineas as well.

Martin originally thought he would keep the filly - who ran an eye-catching sixth in the Hobartville - for the Group One Ranvet Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill on March 20.

"I was going to run her in the Ranvet but I was very impressed with Theseo on Saturday (in the Chipping Norton Stakes) and I think the Ranvet is going to be stronger than I anticipated," Martin said.

"We'll go to the Guineas with her, keep her against her own age and then progress to the Storm Queen Stakes."

Monton started $31 in the Hobartville but Martin thought the three-year-old was going well enough leading into that race to predict a prominent showing.

"I said to his owners before the Hobartville that I didn't think he could beat Manhattan Rain but I thought he would run a place," he said.

"The horse had had a good week and had a good barrier, so I wasn't so much surprised by how our horse went, it was more I was surprised at how Manhattan Rain went (to finish fifth).

"There's no Manhattan Rain this week, Shoot Out is a horse I have a lot of respect for and he's going to be hard to beat, but if (Monton) can run the mile out he's going to be the one to beat again."

Martin also has dual Group One winning sprinter Typhoon Zed resuming in the Group Two Challenge Stakes (1000m) for which there are 10 entries.

"He's had a good couple of weeks," Martin said.

"We've had a couple of hiccups with him this preparation but I've been happy with him the past two weeks."

There were 23 nominations for the Randwick Guineas including Patinack Farm stablemates Gathering and Run For Naara who galloped together between races at Warwick Farm on Monday.