Fernie favourite under radar for the Fairetha

Friday, 4 November 2022  |  Trainer Luke Fernie can complete a black-type double for Geisel Park Stud when he sends out Man Crush for the LR Fairetha Stakes (1400m) at Ascot on Saturday.

Man Crush is a son of Geisel Park sire Manhattan Rain and he’s down on the fourth line of markets headed by unbeaten Playing God 3yo Bustler in a small but select seven-horse field.

Fernie has already burst one bubble at Ascot this week with Geisel Park-owned filly Laced Up Heels ending the unbeaten run of Amelia’s Jewel (Siyouni) in the LR Burgess Queen Stakes (1400m) on Tuesday.

“Man Crush flies under the radar but puts his best foot forward every time,” Fernie said.  “The Fairetha has been his main aim and then hopefully it’s on to the WA Guineas.”

“He’s a ripper and is one of our favourites at home.  Everyone would be happy if you had a stable full of horses like him.

“I told the owners he was going places after he ran fourth from a wide barrier in the Magic Millions Classic.  I thought he could have just about beaten the winner (Sheeza Belter) from a better draw.”

Man Crush was bred by Misty Valley Thoroughbreds owner Tony Patrizi using Manhattan Rain over maiden mare Crushed (All Too Hard).  Second-dam Juice (Bertolini) won a G1 NZ Thoroughbred Breeders Stakes at Te Aroha.

Catalogued for the 2021 Perth Magic Millions, he made $45,000 to a syndicate managed by Luke’s father Peter Fernie.  “He was always lovely type as a younger horse,” stud manager Lachlan Donnelly recalled.  “He had a beautiful temperament and was tough, too.

“We received more good news this week when Crushed tested positive to Manhattan Rain.”

Manhattan Rain sired more black-type at Flemington on Thursday when his 3yo filly La Danseuse Rouge finished a half-head second in the G3 Red Roses Stakes (1100m).

They don’t come better-bred in WA than Manhattan Rain.  He’s a son of Champion sire Encosta de Lago and a half-brother to Champion sire Redoute’s Choice.  And he did them proud as a Group 1 winner at Randwick at two followed by a Group 1 Cox Plate placing behind So You Think at three.

Win lose or draw on Saturday, Geisel Park will still be riding high after the euphoric victory of Laced Up Heels (Photo / Western Racepix) on Melbourne Cup Day.  The Toronado (Ire) filly cost owner Eddie Rigg $100,000 as a yearling in Melbourne and her value will keep multiplying if she wins the G3 Champion Fillies (1600m) at Ascot on November 12.

“Amelia’s Jewel is a star but I didn’t think she could catch Laced Up Heels if our filly was in front coming around the corner,” Fernie said after the Burgess Queen.  “That’s the way it worked out and she let down perfectly.

“I look at her and know there’s a machine there.  She has great ability and shows us plenty at home.  We just needed a little bit of luck to go our way and she got that today.”

Geisel Park stands Manhattan Rain (Encosta de Lago) for $8,800 alongside All American (Red Ransom) for $5,500.  Service fees (inc GST).