Trainer Mick Price has gone through the roof with Redoute’s Choice sprinter Lankan Rupee and he’s aiming high with another promising prospect by fellow Arrowfield Stud sire Manhattan Rain.

Price set Moonovermanhattan a tough task on debut but the colt relished the opportunity to get his career off to a flying start in the G3 National Stakes (1200m) at Morphettville on Saturday.

It marked the first stakes win for Manhattan Rain who is a younger half-brother to Redoute’s Choice.

Moonovermanhattan (2c Manhattan Rain – Lunaspur by Flying Spur) led from the outset and dug deep when challenged to lead home an Arrowfield quinella from Not A Happy Camper (Not A Single Doubt).

Price has spring plans for his strong grey colt.  “I will send him out for a spell now and bring him back for the Caulfield Guineas.”

Arrowfield Stud bred and sold him along with partners John Leaver and Alan Jones for $100,000 at the 2013 Inglis Easter yearling sale.  His dam Lunaspur was a Listed winner of the 2004 Morphettville Guineas and her earlier winners include Hussonet filly Colorado Claire (G2 Phar Lap Stakes).

Manhattan Rain (Encosta de Lago) won the G1 AJC Sires’ Produce Stakes before returning as a spring three year-old to finish second in the G1 W S Cox Plate in an injury-shortened 11 start career.

His first black-type at stud arrived when Chengdu was runner-up in the LR Perth Stakes in March and his second-crop yearlings sold up to $275,000 at the Inglis Easter Sale in April.

Arrowfield will stand Manhattan Rain for a $16,500 (inc gst) fee this year.

– Karl Patterson

MANHATTAN RAIN