Liam Howley bounced back from a best-forgotten Melbourne Cup foray with Virtuous Circle (NZ) to win with New York Hurricane at Kyneton on Wednesday.

Unlike Virtuous Circle who was a $151 long-shot, New York Hurricane went out a $3.20 favourite and didn’t disappoint in the Evolve Interiors Hcp (1850m).  He was still last at the half-mile but was hooked wide by Jason Maskiell to finish over the top of Slate (So You Think).

That’s a tough ask around the Kyneton circle but it’s his home track and Howley believes there’s a good race in the son of Geisel Park stallion Manhattan Rain.  “Full credit to the horse,” Howley said.  “He’s had a ripper prep and that was a well-deserved win with 62kg.

“I was going to nominate him for a 2000m race this week so he was cherry-ripe for 1850m and really attacked the line.”

New York Hurricane raced right through the winter months and stayed in work after winning the Briseis Cup (1700m) at Geelong in September.  He was also the second-leg of a Kyneton double for Howley following the debut win of promising 3yo Cordozar (No Nay Never).

“He’s been one run away from the paddock for a while but keeps getting the job done,” Howley explained.  “He’s goes out to the farm at Mount Macedon for a few days and the water-walker helps him stay fit.

“He’s a character and gave us a bit of grief early on but he’s a stable favourite now.  And he’s raced by a great bunch of owners that love him, too.”

New York Hurricane made $70,000 at the 2021 Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale and his USA-bred dam Al Dhakira (Elusive Quality) descends from USA Hall Of Fame mare Serena’s Song (Rahy).

Serena’s Song was a Group 1 winner of a Beldame Stakes and Haskell Invitational and at stud foaled Sophisticat (Storm Cat) to win a Group 1 Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Manhattan Rain (Encosta de Lago) stands for an $8,250 service fee at Geisel Park alongside All American ($4,400) and newcomer Aysar ($8,800).  All fees (inc GST).