Manhattan sprinter sends rivals Packing

Friday, 28 October 2022 | Newly-arrived WA stallions Manhattan Rain and Shooting To Win have been among the winners in Hong Kong this month as has Jimmy Choux (NZ) whose first locally-bred crop includes Steve Wolfe’s early 2yo trial winner Why Me.

Manhattan Rain is covering his first book at Geisel Park following a recent transfer from Blue Gum Farm in Victoria.  A long-time leading nursery in the Super VOBIS State, Blue Gum was sold by Phil and Patti Campbell and the new owners have closed the stallion barns that have housed luminaries like Encosta de Lago, Rubiton and Umatilla.

Champion Sprinter Hay List (Statue Of Liberty) was conceived at the Euroa stud before commencing a storied race-career with WA owner-breeder Terry Davenport.

“It has been quite a journey with the stallions and Manhattan Rain is siring really good, solid racehorses,” Campbell said.  “We’re happy to know he’s gone to a nice home at Geisel Park.”

Manhattan Rain’s Hong Kong winner Packing Treadmill (pictured) completed a double for Zac Purton when he scored a first-up victory at Sha Tin on October 16.  Trained by Francis Lui, he was always prominent tracking the front-runner Super Fortune (Zoustar) for his fourth win from six starts to reach AUD650,000 in prizemoney.

“I wanted to be handy and they kept kicking up, so I had to work going into the first corner,” Purton said.  “He balanced up and gave a good kick of his own.  For him to be able to do that was nice.”

Manhattan Rain is a son of Champion sire Encosta de Lago who launched his stud career at Blue Gum.  Packing Treadmill’s dam I’m An Outoftowner is a Danehill-line mare and the majority of WA broodmare owners are in a position to duplicate that cross.

The Geisel Park newcomer also has a readymade shop-front star for local breeders named Man Crush.  He won the Crystal Slipper (1100m) last season and came within a stride of holding out Amelia’s Jewel in the LR Belgravia Stakes last Saturday.

Trainer Luke Fernie will be hoping he can go one better back at Ascot on November 5 in the LR Fairetha Stakes (1400m).  “I have a decent opinion of Man Crush and we’re looking forward to some of the bigger races coming up,” Fernie said. “He’s going quite well and wants to be at the races.”

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