Geisel Park won’t be the only WA breeder on board when the first locally-conceived 2yo crop of its Group 1 sire Manhattan Rain get mobile this season.
Manhattan Rain (Encosta De Lago) covered 68 mares in his initial book in the west and among those that patronized him with four or more mares in 2022 were David Reed, Greenfields Lodge, Rangeview Stud and Bellbridge Park.
Reed has three fillies and a colt with Ravenswood trainer Tara Itzstein and she’s looking forward to their first racing preps. “They’re good-bodied with the right work-ethic and, overall, they’re straightforward to handle,” Itzstein reported this week. “They’re back in light work but we won’t be rushing them too early.”
The fillies have been named Manhattan Vin (ex Marmalong by Duke Of Marmalade), Cyclone Chloe (ex Colourful Chloe by More Than Ready) and Dancing Katie (ex Demon Dancer by Al Maher).
Reed’s colt Magnificent Mike (ex Yaloginda by Trade Fair) is a half-brother to his dual black-type winner Magnificent Andy (G3 Hyperion Stakes & LR Hannan's Hcp) who has opened a $3.25 favourite for the $1 million Golden Saddle (1200m) in Kalgoorlie on October 4.
Greenfields Lodge owner Tony Patrizi bred three fillies and three colts by Manhattan Rain highlighted by close relations to this year’s LR Miss Andretti Stakes (1100m) winner Man Crush who has also been booked to start in the inaugural slot-race on Kalgoorlie Cup Day.
“Manhattan Rain is a blueblood and we believe supporting him is a really good way to upgrade our broodmares," Greenfields manager Lachlan Donnelly confirmed on Wednesday. “He’s still young and siring strong types that can add to their pages.”
The Manhattan Rain colt from Crushed (All Too Hard) is a full-brother to Man Crush. And the filly is the final foal out of G1 NZB Breeders' Stakes (1600m) winner Juice (Bertolini) who also threw Crushed earlier in her stud career. “They have the right attitude and look forward types,” Donnelly added. “Luke Fernie has Man Crush and he will also train the colt while Neville Parnham has the filly from Juice.”
Winning his home-town’s first seven-figure race is like a grand-final goal for Fernie. “Kalgoorlie thrives on the race round,” he told RWWA. “It’s exciting to be part of it and Man Crush is well credentialed. He’s got a lot of potential and will go a lot better once he gets on top of the dry track. Kal will suit him well.”
Fernie also prepared Geisel Park homebred Laced Up Heels (Toranado) for a career-high victory over Amelia’s Jewel (Siyouni) in a LR Burgess Queen Stakes (1400m). Owner-breeder Eddie Rigg sent her across to Widden Stud for a maiden cover to Champion Australian sire Zoustar this month.
Manhattan Rain (Encosta de Lago) is a half-brother to Australian Champion Redoute’s Choice and stands for a $5,500 service fee at Geisel Park alongside Aysar ($8,800) and Winning Rupert ($6,600). Stud manager Conor Dunlop can be contacted for bookings or further details on 0447 434 735.
Geisel Park Media Release
