Oakland Park-bred 3yo gelding Manavendra hasn’t been out of a place in the five starts this campaign and Pearce Racing believes he deserves a shot at black-type in the final two months of the season.

Manavendra (Deep Field) tracked odds-on favourite Antique Miss (Domesday) in the Free Entry To Belmont Park Hcp (1700m) on Wednesday and it paid off when he powered past the cerise and white colour-bearer at the 100m marker.

“It was a great ride by Chris (Parnham),” co-trainer Dan Pearce said.  “He got off the back of the favourite at the right time and he’s always been held in high regard by our stable.  He’s one of three foals we bought off Nev Duncan down at Oakland Park and they’re all progressing nicely.”

Another is recent Belmont winner Exceltrain (Spirit Of Boom) who has been nominated to double up there next Wednesday, May 31.

Manavendra has several potential targets looming in the LR Belmont Guineas (1600m) on June 17, LR Aquanita Stakes (2000m) on July 1 and LR Belmont Classic (2200m) on July 15.

“We led and got beaten the other day but he’s much better chasing,” Parnham explained.  “He felt like the winner from the 500m onwards today and, when I pulled the trigger, he put them to bed.  He will measure up and get 2000m no problems.”

Manavendra is the first foal from Shinta Mani (Viscount) who was a Listed winner of the 2017 Kalgoorlie Cup for part-owner and breeder Neil Randall.  Her 2yo filly Manhattan Jewel (Manhattan Rain) was retained by Oakland Park and is also with Pearce Racing.

Oakland Park also has a filly foal by Too Darn Hot (GB) from Shinta Mani that was entered but later withdrawn from last week’s Magic Millions National Sale on the Gold Coast.  So was a Too Darn Hot colt from French-bred mare Canndiyara (Sinndar).

Too Darn Hot (Dubawi) shuttles to Darley Kelvinside in NSW and Duncan rates him a stallion with a future.  “He was Champion 2YO and 3YO Colt in Europe and is a stunning individual.  His foals are cracking types and our two have beautiful pedigrees.”