Second stakeswinner for Manhattan Rain

Qatar Bloodstock celebrated its first stakes success in Australia when Manhattan Rain’s 2YO daughter Crafty swept to victory in the $120,000 Taj Rossi Series Final LR at Flemington on Saturday.

The Robert Smerdon-trained filly drove home strongly from the middle of the field to outfinish Triple Gold by a nose, with 1.8 lengths back to All American’s son Zebulon in third place. Zebulon won at Flemington two weeks ago and his run was full of merit, given he drew 13 and was four wide coming into the straight.

Jockey Mark Zahra said of Crafty, “She did a good job today, I let her be where she wanted today and she hit the line strongly. I think she will get further, she’s a filly with a lovely temperament, so I think she will improve.”

Crafty is the second stakeswinner by first season sire Manhattan Rain following Moonovermanhattan’s Group 3 win at Morphettville in May. The Group 1-winning half-brother to Redoute’s Choice has also been represented by the stakes-placed colts Chengdu and Light Up Manhattan.

Manhattan Rain and All American are among the four first season sires that have left Australian stakeswinners this season.

Crafty (ex Spirited Dancer by Sadler’s Wells) has now won two of her five starts and returned much of the $150,000 David Redvers bid for her on behalf of Qatar Bloodstock at the 2013 Inglis Easter Sale where she was offered by her breeder Arrowfield Stud. 

Crafty is a half-sister to Flemington Group 3 winner Lunar Rise (by Starcraft) whose full brother was purchased at this year’s Inglis Easter Sale by Badger’s Bloodstock. Spirited Dancer, from the immediate family of champion Peintre Celebre, has a weanling filly by Gio Ponti and is in foal to Animal Kingdom.