G1 Ladbrokes Manikato S., $1 million, 1200m
Race summary
Grand sprinter Hey Doc (Duporth) has secured his second G1 Manikato S., revisiting his success of 2017 with a track record-breaking win at Moonee Valley.
The Tony and Calvin McEvoy-trained 7-year-old sat just off a very hot pace, and given a perfectly timed ride by Luke Currie, surged past the leaders late, before withstanding a late challenge from Trekking (Street Cry {Ire}) to record his fourth career Group 1 win, by 0.75l, stopping the clock at 1:08.76, taking 0.01s off the previous track record.
Dirty Work (Written Tycoon) worked home along the rail to claim third, 0.2l further back, ahead of Brooklyn Hustle (Starspangledbanner), who was 2.7l adrift of the winner.
With a 10th win from 28 starts, Hey Doc has now taken his prizemoney to over $3 million.
The race was set-up for a fast time when the flying mare Pippie (Written Tycoon) led Bella Vella (Commands), but the race changed complexion late, with Currie the first to challenge on Hey Doc, before John Allen on Trekking got off his back.
Trekking looked poised to run over the top of Hey Doc, but the veteran responded superbly and while he did duck out late, something which saw Allen look to the replay to assess if there were grounds for protest, he caused only minimal disruption and all clear was declared.
Pedigree notes
Bred by Adrian Hall in Victoria, Hey Doc was a 2015 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale graduate. Offered by Rosemont Stud, he was sold for $85,000 to McEvoy Mitchell Racing.
He is one of only two foals from the ill-fated General Nediym mare Heyington Honey, with her other foal Heather Honey (Congrats {USA}), a winner over 1400 metres. Hall is now breeding with Heather Honey, and she has a 2-year-old colt by Street Boss (USA), while she visited Written Tycoon on a late cover last year.
His second dam, Noble Glow (Jeune {GB}), produced seven winners and is a sister to the stakes-placed Jurlique, while multiple stakes winner Excel Pilot (Champion Pilot (USA}) also features on the pedigree page.
