Smart new 2YO winner for Manhattan Rain
Arrowfield graduate 2YO Platinum Dragon delivered on the ability he’d shown trainer Lisa Latta with a good maiden victory over 1000m at Tauherenikau in New Zealand on Friday afternoon.
He is the 23rd individual winner this season by Manhattan Rain, steadily carving out an excellent record with his first two crops.
The classy son of the now-retired champion sire Encosta De Lago holds third position on the Australian Second Season Sires’ list with earnings of just over $1 million, a total that may receive a big boost on Saturday if Manhattan Blues can win the $250,000 MRC 2YO Inglis Premier (R) LR at Sandown.
Platinum Dragon was a $210,000 purchase from Arrowfield’s 2013 Magic Millions Gold Coast draft by Latta on behalf of long-time stable clients Lincoln Farms and Neville McAlister.
He is superbly and intriguingly bred, being a son of champion Lankan Rupee’s full sister Charming Estelle, by Manhattan Rain’s half-brother Redoute’s Choice. Like all these horses and Manhattan Rain himself, Platinum Dragon was bred by Teeley Assets.
It’s not surprising that Manhattan Rain, whose pedigree is free of Danehill, is doing well with mares by the supersire and his sons, including Flying Spur (damsire of Moonovermanhattan) and Danzero (damsire of Group 3-placed Manhattan Avenue). Flying Spur brings in another element of inbreeding because his dam Rolls is the grand-dam of Manhattan Rain’s sire Encosta de Lago.
Manhattan Rain has nine yearlings in the Inglis Classic Sale which begins on 8 February. They include Arrowfield’s filly from the Anabaa mare Opalize.
