Quality stayer Manzor Blue will begin her path towards the Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) in November when she heads to Hastings on Saturday to tackle the Charlie Whyte Open Mile (1600m).
Raced by New Zealand-based syndicator Go Racing, Manzor Blue established herself among the top echelon of New Zealand’s staying ranks last season after winning the Gr.3 Wellington Cup (3200m) at Trentham in January before finishing runner-up to Aussie raider Paradise Storm in the Gr.2 Auckland Cup (3200m) at Ellerslie on Champions Day in March.
Following those results, her connections began to dream of a Melbourne Cup tilt, and a plan was set in motion to contest the race that stops two nations.
The daughter of Almanzor trialled over 1000m at Foxton last week and was set to resume over 1400m at Hawera a fortnight ago, however, trainer Lisa Latta elected to withdraw her from that race in favour of a mile a fortnight later.
“She was in at Hawera the other day, but it was pretty wet, and she is better suited to the mile,” Latta said.
Latta is pleased with the way her mare is coming up but has reserved expectations first-up on what is currently rated a Heavy10 track.
“She looks fantastic, I couldn’t be happier with her,” she said.
“As long as she is finding the line, I will be happy. The track is going to be a touch wetter than I had hoped for first-up, but in saying that, she has handled an off track before.”
Latta said Manzor Blue will undertake the initial phase of her spring preparation in New Zealand before crossing the Tasman, where she is the only New Zealand-trained horse to hold a nomination for the Gr.1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) in October.
“We will just get this first run out of the way and make a plan from there, but she will have her first three runs in New Zealand,” Latta said.
Manzor Blue will be met on Saturday by stablemates Belardo Boy and last-start winner Benefactor.
“Benefactor deserved that one last start,” Latta said. “It looks a pretty similar field, and she still gets in at a nice enough weight (56kg).
“We have had a few little issues with Belardo Boy, but hopefully he will bounce back on Saturday. On a whole, he races well for Amber (Riddell, apprentice jockey), she knows him really well. I am pretty happy with the way he is working.”
Latta has several leading contenders on the undercard, including the in-form pair of Cremant and Amazing Son in the Beard Brothers Sprint (1200m).
Amazing Son has won two and finished runner-up in two of his last four starts, while Cremant has won one and been runner-up in two of her last three starts, and Latta said it is a shame they have to meet each other in the same race this weekend.
“Cremant looks fantastic, she has her summer coat through,” Latta said. “Amazing Son was supposed to run in the 1400m and they deleted the race, so unfortunately, they have both ended up together, and they are both reasonable chances.”
Latta will also have a two-pronged attack in the Livamol Classic 10 Oct – Tickets On Sale Now (1200m) courtesy of last start winners Brutiful Lass and Carlow, while her team will be rounded out by last start winner Ocean Melody in the AHD Animal Health Direct Stayers (2100m).
“Brutiful Lass is in good form, and she deserved that win last start,” Latta said. “We have given her plenty of time to get over that.
“Carlow needs a heavy track, which I think we will get, it’s just how sticky it is going to be.
“Ocean Melody gets in with a nice, light weight (54kg). She is not a big horse, but she tries hard and always goes solid races.” – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk
