Manhattan Rain pours it on in 2015
Manhattan Rain has consolidated his chasing position on the Australian Second Season Sires’ list with five winners since New Year’s Day, three of them in city class.
The latest member of his first crop to shine is the Gai Waterhouse-trained filly Ondina whose scored an eye-catching win at her second start, over 1350 metres at Wyong on Thursday.
Ondina is the second foal of Mermaid Island (by Mujadil) and was bred by Dean Fleming who sold her under the Tyreel Stud banner for $40,000 at the 2013 Magic Millions National Yearling Sale. The buyer was Star Thoroughbreds and the filly’s owners include David Henderson, also a part-owner of Melbourne Cup winner Fiorente and multiple Group 2 winner Sweet Idea.
As Star Thoroughbreds suggests, Ondina’s early success suggests that more wins are in store for her.
Manhattan Rain’s year began when 3YO filly Wild Rain (ex North Flower by Rory’s Jester) graduated to metropolitan company at Moonee Valley on 3 January and followed up two weeks later with a third placing at Flemington.
Trainer Mark Kavanagh said of Wild Rain after her Moonee Valley win, “She’s a fast fllly, she obviously runs well here so we’ll see how we go, it will be nice to just take her through her grades.”
A day later Right Or Wrong broke his maiden by 3.8 lengths at his second start on the Sunshine Coast. From the Flying Spur mare Impulsive Lass, he’s bred on the same cross as Group 2 winner Moonovermanhattan.
Next up was a Saturday metropolitan double by 3YO Boundary and 2YO debutant Manhattan Blues on 10 January.
Boundary (ex One Dream by Danehill) has progressed quickly from her maiden win in November to win a 1400-metre event at Flemington on 10 January. Trainer Heath Conners then sent her for a brief spell with a plan to set her for black type contests in the Autumn. He believes Boundary will be seen at her best when she steps up to 2000 metres.
Trainer Tony McEvoy now regrets not entering Manhattan Blues (ex Belle Feline by Tale of the Cat) for the Blue Diamond and the Golden Slipper. The chestnut gelding has thrived since defeating Karlovaso and Comprende over 1000 metres at Morphettville and has earned a run in Monday’s $120,000 MRC Blue Diamond Preview LR.
McEvoy says, “He has really surprised me with the way he has come on. He hasn’t missed a beat this horse.
“He’s done everything we’ve asked him to do, so this [Monday’s run] will tell us a lot more about him and where he fits into things.”
This month’s results have pushed Manhattan Rain’s season earnings through the $1 million mark and he retains second position on the Second Season Sires’ list, behind I Am Invincible and just ahead of Turffontein.
The Group 1-winning son of Encosta de Lago has 10 yearlings catalogued for next month’s Inglis Classic Sale, including a colt and a filly in the Arrowfield draft, and nine lots in the Inglis Melbourne Premier Sale. That group also features a colt and a filly consigned by Arrowfield.
Click here for the upcoming Arrowfield Yearling Sale drafts.
