Luke Fernie won last year’s LR Kalgoorlie Cup (2300m) with Be Optimistic (Blackfriars) and he would like nothing better than to emulate his father Peter in the LR Hannans Hcp (1400m) next month.

Peter prepared Black George (2011) and Mr Vadim (2013) to win the Hannans and Luke, a fourth-generation Kalgoorlie trainer now based at Ascot, is gunning for his first with Man Crush on Wednesday, October 2.

Man Crush (5g Manhattan Rain – Crushed by All Too Hard) is raced by a Goldfields syndicate and he will be set for Kal’s premier sprint after an authoritative victory in the $100,000 Nicopolis Stakes (1200m) at Belmont on Saturday.

Man Crush was best away for Chris Parnham but he handed up to brother Brad on noted leader Phanta (Gingerbread Man).  “Chasing down that horse in front was very encouraging,” Fernie said.  “He ran through the line and is now mature enough to suggest the 1400m is going to be right up his alley.

“It’s going to be a big test in the Hannans but on speed is the place to be in Kalgoorlie and that’s where he likes to put himself.”

Geisel Park Stud resident Manhattan Rain sired him from Crushed (All Too Hard) who is a daughter of Group 1 NZ Breeders’ Stakes (1600m) winner Juice (Bertolini).  She has a yearling colt by Manhattan Rain and foaled a filly by him last week for Misty Valley Thoroughbreds owner Tony Patrizi.

Misty Valley sold Man Crush for $45,000 at the 2021 Perth Magic Millions and feature wins in the Crystal Slipper (1100m) at Ascot and RL Magic Millions 3YO Trophy (1200m) at Pinjarra have advanced his bankroll to $674,000 counting in Westspeed Bonuses of $79,000.

Since resuming from a spell, he had been placed in the LR Beaufine Stakes, LR Bolton Sprint and LR Belmont Newmarket.  “He been very consistent and this looked a suitable race,” Chris Parnham said after the Nicopolis Stakes.  “He’s tough and can absorb pressure but I didn’t want to get into a speed battle with Phanta.

“I don’t think he will have a problem over 1400m and the Hannans looks a good race for him.”

Fernie also prepares LR Burgess Queen Stakes (1400m) winner Laced Up Heels (Toronado) for Geisel Park owner Eddie Rigg and her latest summer prep isn’t far away after a close second to stablemate Wild Belle (Pride Of Dubai) in a Belmont trial on Monday morning.

Manhattan Rain (Encosta de Lago) stands for an $8,250 service fee at Geisel Park alongside Aysar ($8,800), Winning Rupert ($8,800) and All American ($4,400).  For bookings or further information, contact stud manager Conor Dunlop on 0447 434 735.