The son of Christian Cullen did face some of his old claiming mates in the 2-8 win handicap, but was also up against the likes of Better To Be Bad, Roxy Rocket and the young brigade of Lucky Getaway and In The Kitty off the front mark.
Montecrengle started off 20m alongside Hi Gun and Cullen's Finest, while Better To Be Bad started the race as favourite, despite starting off 50m.
However, after taking a parked position outside eventual leader Hi Gun, Better To Be Bad tired in the straight, as Montecrengle and Roxy Rocket made their runs. Montecrengle then held off Roxy Rocket by a neck.
The 8yr-old gelding was having his first run back with Graeme Anderson after the horse was claimed at Oamaru on July 14 by Craig Kennett and his training son, Josh, before clients of Anderson claimed the horse back again following a win at Forbury Park on July 18.
Montecrengle has now won 12 of his 44 starts and yesterday's win takes his career earnings to $74,398.
Tinted Cloud gelding Mackenzie Jacob ended a long run of outs when Jonny Cox steered the 6yr-old to victory at Ascot Park yesterday.
Cox and co-trainer Amber Hoffman have trained Mackenzie Jacob at Westwood Beach since the gelding was leased off Otematata trainer Ian Munro and owner-breeder Cheryl Munro by Gerald Cayford and Gary Fyfe after the horse finished 10th at Forbury Park in early June.
His three runs for the new lessees produced a sixth, a second and a ninth before yesterday's win.
Mackenzie Jacob's last success on race day was at Forbury Park on August 16 last year, when he was in the care of Oamaru trainer Phil Williamson.
Chiola Belle added to the fine record of her mother, Viola Chiola, with a maiden win for Williamson at Ascot Park yesterday.
The 5yr-old was well clear of her rivals in the non-winners 2200m trot after having to avoid breaking horses at the start of the race.
The Sundon mare is the fifth foal of Viola Chiola to win on the track, joining the well-performed Belle Galleon (11 wins), G S Ado (four Australian wins) Rae Galleon (four wins), and Woodlea Contessa (two wins) in the winning circle.
Belle Galleon has already left her mark as a broodmare thanks to Dream Vacation gelding Stent, the winner of this year's group 1 Anzac Cup at Alexandra Park.
Sunny Two Shoes and Devine Sign provided Gore trainer Billy Heads with a training double yesterday. Sunny Two Shoes produced a sustained run down the centre of the track to beat home warm favourite Northview Major in a 1-win 2200m mobile, while Devine Sign took advantage of Easybet's poor manners to race away with the 1-2 win mares' race over 2200m.
Easybet shied at the 400m sign with 1400m to go when leading, and had to be restrained back to near the rear of the field.
The win is Devine Sign's fourth from six starts.
