Third stakeswinner for Manhattan Rain
Trainer Gai Waterhouse sent 3YO filly Ondina to Adelaide with an “excellent each way chance” and punters who took her advice were smiling after Saturday’s $80,000 SAJC Laelia S. 1600m LR.
The daughter of Manhattan Rain – himself Waterhouse-trained – jumped well from her wide gate and Blake Spriggs kept her going into the lead which she held staunchly all the way to the line to win by a long head from Into The Mist.
The result was a case of upstart younger brother getting the better of his famous older sibling: Into The Mist is by Manhattan Rain’s half-brother and Arrowfield barn-mate Redoute’s Choice.
Ondina was bought from the Tyreel Stud draft at the 2013 Magic Millions National Yearling Sale for $40,000 by Star Thoroughbreds. She has now won three of her six starts and more than $100,000 for her owners including David Henderson, who also celebrated a Group race double at Rosehill with Excess Knowledge & Pornichet. David races Ondina with Rhonda & Jan Henderson, Gaye Smith, Gary Greedy, Leon Laskey, Maureen & David McLeish, Phillip Vanny, John Menzies, N B C Racing (Manager: Caroline Bayot) and Wayne Cook.
Bred by Dean Fleming, Ondina is a half-sister to smart Melbourne winner Holy Cow from the Irish-bred stakes performer Mermaid Island (by Mujadil), a half-sister to Irish Thousand Guineas winner Nightime.
Manhattan Rain’s tally of 7 stakes performers from his first two crops places him firmly among Australia’s leading second crop sires. He holds fourth position on that list with 25 winners and $1.3 million this season alone.
It’s an encouraging sign that fresh talent keeps appearing for Manhattan, represented in the Spring by Group 2 winner Moonovermanhattan, Group-placed Crafty & Manhattan Avenue, and Light Up Manhattan, fourth in the Victoria Derby G1.
As well as Ondina, the Autumn has unveiled 2YO Manhattan Blues, fourth in the Blue Diamond S. G1; Manhattan Island who won impressively at Hawkesbury on Thursday; and the Nigel Blackiston-trained Manapine whose campaign is aimed at the South Australian Derby G1 on 9 May.
Manhattan Rain’s six fillies and four colts at Inglis Easter 2015 will be offered by Arrowfield, Attunga Stud, Goodwood Farm, Newhaven Park and Turangga Farm. Arrowfield’s draft includes Wandjina’s standout half-brother from La Bamba, and a lovely, well-balanced filly from dual stakeswinner Gibraltar Campion – view the Arrowfield draft here.
