Geisel Park sire Manhattan Rain is firing on several fronts on the east coast and his first locally-bred runners are poised to play a role in his rise up the WA Sires’ premiership this season.
Manhattan Rain (Encosta de Lago) advanced to second on the WA ladder after Jigsaw won the G1 William Reid Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on Saturday ahead of a possible trip to Perth for The Quokka (1200m).
There’s another Group 1 entrant this Saturday when Sabaj runs in the Australian Cup (2000m) at Flemington. And closer to home on Saturday week, Manhattan Rain 2yo Boy Crush will commence an autumn campaign aimed at the G2 Karrakatta Plate (1200m) at Ascot.
Born-again sprinter Jigsaw will be a highlight of Western Australia’s richest meeting on April 18. The slot-race format of the $5 million Quokka brings together an elite talent pool from around Australia and the $500,000 Karrakatta Plate gives our emerging stars a chance to shine on the big stage.
Jigsaw (7g Manhattan Rain – Demandz by Lonhro) has three options going forward from the William Reid Stakes (1200m) with owner-trainer Cindy Alderson confirming Perth is favoured ahead of Sydney and Adelaide. Saturday’s all-the-way victory was his sixth in a row and the second at the elite-level this prep following the Sistema Railway (1200m) in New Zealand.
“The Quokka fits in nicely time-wise compared to Sydney (T J Smith Stakes) and Adelaide (Goodwood Hcp),” Alderson explained. “Ascot’s track lay-out will also suit him. He’s not the best of travellers so perhaps a slot-holder can send him first-class to Perth.
“It’s amazing for a small stable like ours to have the opportunity to race a horse like him at this stage of my career,” Alderson said as she was swamped by well-wishers on Saturday. “He got an absolute flyer from the wide gate and was able to control the race. Charm Stone gave him a run on the corner but he kept fighting all the way to the line.
“It’s getting more and more unbelievable as we go along and I’ve never seen him looking better.”
Melbourne trainer Mick Price will also be gunning for a Group 1 double with Sabaj in the $2 million VRC Australian Cup (2000m) at Flemington this Saturday after watching stablemate Guest House (Home Affairs) win the $5 million ATC Golden Slipper Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill.
Sabaj (4g Manhattan Rain – Bouzy by Uncle Mo) finished a creditable fourth in the $2 million All-Star Mile (1600m) at Flemington last time out and Price is keen to try him at the Australian Cup distance.
He’s on the fourth-line of early markets at $8 to turn the tables on All-Star winner Tom Kitten (Harry Angel). “It’s a competitive race but we’re keen to try him over 2000m,” Price said. “He likes Flemington and is a big clean-winded horse who will relax and handle the tempo and the trip.”
The Eastern Front has been a godsend for Manhattan Rain since moving to WA and he looks home and hosed at Geisel Park siring colts the calibre of Boy Crush in his first-crop at Myalup.
Boy Crush (2c Manhattan Rain – Crushed by All Too Hard) made an impression on debut in the $80,000 Magic Millions Plate (1100m) on January 10 defeating They’reallsisters (Splintex) but she turned that result upside down a fortnight later back at Ascot.
“There were behaviour issues early on before the boys got over his neck and taught him some manners,” trainer Luke Fernie said in the New Year. “He’s very good and we kept him a colt. I prefer letting them learn in races rather than barrier trials and he’s come here today to win some pocket money for Tony (Patrizi) and Andrew (Inglis).
Jockey Holly Watson was also impressed claiming he won like a professional. “Luke has done a great job with this colt and he feels like a readymade 2yo.”
Boy Crush is a homebred for Greenfields Lodge owner Tony Patrizi and Greenfields manager Lachlan Donnelly reports Boy Crush has a spring in his step ahead of a scheduled first-up start in the LR Perth Stakes (1000m) on April 4. “He came down here for a quick break and left for Luke’s nice and refreshed,” Donnelly said from Capel. “The Perth Stakes will be a tough race and hopefully he comes through all the better for the Karrakatta Plate.”