Spring features the spur for Fame

Wednesday, 28 June 2023 | Peter Moody is best known as the trainer of iconic sprinter Black Caviar but he’s just as adept at getting the best out of promising young stayers like Fame.

Fame is a 3yo son of Geisel Park stallion Manhattan Rain and the die was cast for a highly anticipated spring prep when he came from last of 18 to finish second in the G1 Queensland Derby (2400m) last month.

Moody was gunning for a second Queensland Derby following 2008 winner Riva San (Any Given Sunday).  His other winners over the classic distance include Amalfi (Carnegie) in the 2001 Victoria Derby, Testafiable (Testa Rossa) in the 2006 SA Derby and Markus Maximus (Pentire) in the 2009 WA Derby.

“Fame (pictured) did himself proud in the Queensland Derby and we were very happy with the run,” Moody said.  “We decided to test that form against older horses at weight-for-age in The Q22 a fortnight ago and he also came from last that day for a midfield finish.

“In saying that, he was beaten by Numerian and a couple of others that you wouldn’t think are going to be topping the markets in a Cox Plate.”

Fame (3g Manhattan Rain – Spirit Bird by Savabeel) is a homebred for Perth-based Neven Botica and he’s already prominent in pre-post markets for the G1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) on October 21.

Ladbrokes have priced him at $34 behind The Q22 winner Without A Fight (Ire) who is the $12 favourite.

Placed in all four starts last year, Fame signed off with a close second to subsequent G3 Tasmanian Derby winner Dunkel (NZ) at Moonee Valley on Cox Plate weekend.  Resuming in March, he stretched out to 1850m to win a Kyneton maiden by six lengths and then doubled up by three lengths over 2020m at Moe before the trip to Brisbane.

Botica also bred his dam Spirit Bird who won a Northam maiden for Nick Cox before going down a head after a duel with Man Booker (Discorsi) in the G2 WA Guineas.  Transferred to James Cummings, she won at her only other start in the G3 Tibbie Stakes (1350m) at Newcastle.

Manhattan Rain (Encosta de Lago) stands for an $8,250 service fee at Geisel Park with All American ($4,400) and newcomer Aysar ($8,800).  All fees (inc GST).