Ten European breds and two New Zealanders had won the past twelve Group III Manion Cups, so few batted an eyelid when Post Impressionist (IRE) made an auspicious Australian debut with an almost embarrassingly easy win to credit William Haggas with his third win in the 2400m Rosehill feature.
Settled back at the tail of the field by Tom Marquand, the 5yo son of Teofilo (IRE) was held up briefly before coming widest of all to win by a widening three and a half lengths from Manzoice (Almanzor), with Almania (IRE) (Australia) a short-neck back in third.
Sporting the silks of Lloyd Williams for the first time, Post Impressionist (IRE) contested some valuable handicaps last season, with his only win in five starts coming at his season-ending triumph in the Old Borough Cup (14f) at Haydock last September.
A $260,000gns purchase for Shadwell as a yearling at Tattersalls in 2020, the son of Teofilo, was back in the same rung a year later at the Autumn Horses In Training Sale, where he made 54,000 gns. He was withdrawn from the 2023 Autumn Horses In Training Sale.
Haggas won the Manion Cup with Young Rascal in 2020 and Favourite Moon in 2021.
Nick Williams explained how his father became involved with the winner.
“I have to be honest, I had nothing to do with him at all. Dad (Lloyd) has been friendly with William Haggas for a long time,” he said.
“He saw him win, and he spoke to William about it. He subsequently bought the horse after his last start in Europe, which he won in a pretty similar fashion.
“They’ve done a terrific job with him getting him here and we’ll see how he pulls up and see if he can go on with it.
“You’d have to think about the Tancred (Stakes) , you’d have to think about the Sydney Cup.
“We’ll let William decide. He’s had a lot of success out here and (travelling foreperson) Issy (Paul) and he do a terrific job with the horses they bring out here, we’ve seen that over a number of years so all credit to them.”
It was the second win in the race for Tom Marquand after Young Rascal in 2020.
“We’ve seen it in England at Haydock, but that was over ‘a mile and six’ (2800m) and whilst it was a turn of foot, you probably wouldn’t have called it in Australian terms.
“He spelled great and in quarantine. William knows how to get the right horses; he was well-acquired by the Williamses and Issy’s (Paul) has done a fantastic job just guiding another horse through.
“It’s a tough process, it’s not easy and she’s backed it up with different variety of horses and different types of horses as well. This lad’s a different type to what we’ve had before.
“I’m just thrilled for everyone involved that he’s come out and done that.”
“I’d love to be on him at two miles (Sydney Cup), sadly I’m a little bit too heavy, but it’s exciting for the team.
“It’s so important for the guys that are finding these horses that are exciting. There are so many things that go into it and I might not be aboard him (in the Sydney Cup), but I’ll be cheering him around, so I’m looking forward to seeing what he’s going to do.”
Post Impressionist (IRE) is the best of two winners from as many to race for the Group III-placed Island Remede (Medicean) from a family whose most recent success has come over hurdles.
Post Impressionist is the 124th stakes-winner for Darley Stud’s Teofilo, who has enjoyed remarkable success in Australia.
