Jigsaw drawn ideally for G1 William Reid Stakes

Thursday, 23 March 2023 | Geisel Park stallion Manhattan Rain is primed to sire his third Group 1 winner when Jigsaw resumes from a short break in the $1 million William Reid Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley on Friday evening.

Bookmakers have kept Jigsaw safe on the second-line of betting at $6 behind Kiwi mare Imperatriz (I Am Invincible).  The Cindy Alderson-trained sprinter was undefeated during a summer campaign that culminated in the G2 Australia Stakes (1200m) at The Valley on January 28.

Alderson elected to bypass the G1 Oakleigh Plate (1100m) and G1 Newmarket Hcp (1200m) with Jigsaw (pictured) and wait for the William Reid.  “He’s in good order and hopefully I don’t end up with egg on my face,” the Cranbourne trainer said.  “I’m very happy with him and he’s drawn ideally in barrier 5.”

Manhattan Rain has sired the Group 1 winners She Will Reign (ATC Golden Slipper Stakes) and Whisky Baron (SAf Sun Met Hcp) and his overall Stakes-winning total reached 17 when Man Crush claimed the RL Magic Millions WA 3YO Trophy (1200m) at Pinjarra last month.

Misty Valley Thoroughbreds owner Tony Patrizi bred Man Crush from All Too Hard mare Crushed.  He was a $45,000 graduate from the 2021 Perth Magic Millions and has now earned over $340,000 for trainer Luke Fernie and a syndicate managed by his father Peter.

He’s quoted at $7.50 to boost that prizemoney pool in the Alliance Nickel Hcp (1200m) at Ascot on Saturday.  Crushed returned to Manhattan Rain last year and she was tested positive off a September 1 cover.

Patrizi’s Capel-based Greenfields Lodge also purchased the close relation to Man Crush’s Stakes-winning stablemate Laced Up Heels (Toronado) at the Inglis Melbourne Premier Sale earlier this month.  The Toronado filly from Blackfriars mare Indi Pacific (Lot 486) changed hands for $200,000.

Bred by Geisel Park owner Eddie Rigg, she was sold by Maluka Thoroughbreds (as agent) at Oaklands Junction.  Indi Pacific’s half-sister Lady Knockout (Serheed), who won a LR Matron Stakes at Flemington, is the second-dam of Laced Up Heels.

Indi Pacific foaled a colt by Darley sire Frosted (USA) in November.