Cranbourne trainer John Rattle had good reason to be rattled when Tipping Rain was fractious in the barriers and then burst through the front of the stalls at the Pakenham night meeting on Friday.
The daughter of Manhattan Rain was racing second-up and had been solidly supported from $51 into $21 before the Evergreen Turf Maiden Plate (1400m). Fortunately, Celine Gaudray was able to pull her up quickly and she was given the all clear behind the gates.
Tipping Rain relished the Soft 7 surface and fought off Unriddle (Encryption) who refused to go away and the late charge of Black Eyed Blonde (Pierata). “She ran a good race at her first start and had improved in the three weeks between runs,” Rattle said. “But she had never been on wet track before and then had to pass a vet test so we didn’t know what to think.
“There’s not much of her and we’re very happy with the win tonight. Hopefully, she can keep it going and there’s another suitable race here in a fortnight.”
Gaudray was still on a high after partnering Torranzino (NZ) into fifth place in the Melbourne Cup on Tuesday and she initially planned to ride a cold race at Pakenham. “There was plenty of speed on paper but she bounced out and we rolled forward to sit outside the leader. She is a character and with that high knee action, she ploughs through the ground beautifully and then runs right through the line.”
Tipping Rain (4m Manhattan Rain – Resounding Miss by Reset) was purchased for just $3,250 as a yearling out of an Inglis Digital Sale in January 2023 and is raced by Rattle with his wife Cheryl and good mate Shane Bottomley.
She has WA links through second-dam Siren Miss (Umatilla) who is a full-sister to Umatune (LR Crystal Slipper Stakes). The latter is also the dam of G1 Kingston Town Classic (1800m) winner Ihtsahymn (Ihtiram) and RL Magic Millions 2YO Classic (1200m) winner Jestatune (Rory’s Jester).
Geisel Park stands Manhattan Rain (Encosta De Lago) for a $5,500 service fee alongside Winning Rupert ($6,600) and Aysar ($8,800). Fees (inc GST). For bookings or further information, contact stud manager Conor Dunlop on 0447 434 735.