Cover image courtesy of Sportpix
Can Manaal’s class shine through
The classy 4-year-old mare Manaal (Tassort) may be in the twilight of her career, with owners Emirates Park having indicated that the Group 1-winning juvenile is likely to join their star broodmare band the spring.
Before then, however, she has another opportunity to provide trainer Michael Freedman with Group 1 success in her long-term winter target, the G1 Tattersall’s Tiara. She heads into the feature for fillies and mares following a strong third in the G2 Moreton Cup, where she endured little luck behind Uncommon James (Cable Bay {GB}).
Manaal | Image courtesy of Sportpix
"This looks like a nice race potentially on paper for her and I thought her run in the Moreton Cup was very good," Freedman told racenet.com.
"She was a bit stiff, Ben Melham got off feeling that maybe she could have won. That is no disrespect to the horses who finished in front of her.
"But she did look pretty unlucky.
"We go into the Tatt's Tiara with a bit of confidence, given the fact that it is a race that we targeted right from the middle of the Sydney autumn carnival."
Freedman confirmed Manaal's racing career is nearing an end, although nothing has been officially confirmed.
Michael Freedman | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
"We knew that Emirates are probably looking at the idea of putting her off to stud, so we planned to have a Queensland campaign over the carnival.
"She has done an amazing job on the track, in a perfect world I would love to try to convince them to race her on for another season but I know they are pretty keen for her to be a Mum.
"She (Manaal) has done an amazing job on the track, in a perfect world I would love to try to convince them to race her on for another season." - Michael Freedman
"I tend to think that 1400m is her pet distance, it is the distance she won her Group 1 at."
As is often the case, the Tattersall’s Tiara shapes as an even contest. Manaal’s biggest danger could be the Grahame Begg-trained French-bred mare Splash Back (Fr) (Le Havre {Ire}), while Tuileries (So You Think {NZ}) brings Group 3-winning form into the race.
The roughie could be the Chris and Corey Munce-trained Poster Girl (Alabama Express), who has been racing consistently this preparation and could feature if she enjoys any luck in transit from her wide draw.
Can the value-buy Cool Gent deliver again?
The Shane and Adam Barling-trained Cool Gent (Winning Rupert) produced a major upset when claiming the Listed Oxlade Stakes two weeks ago also at Eagle Farm and while he may not start at such generous odds this time, the talented Winning Rupert gelding is chasing back-to-back Listed victories.
Co-trainer Adam Barling was naturally delighted with the performance, particularly given his modestly bred $9000 purchase defeated a host of far more expensive juveniles.
Cool Gent | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
"It just shows that you don't have to have a heap of money in this game," Barling told racenet.com.
"If you go through that Oxlade field, there was one that costs $1.8 million so to go there and beat them with a $9000 horse just shows that anyone can have a crack.
"What industry can you do that in? You can't buy a $1.8 million car and say it's going to be a lot better than the $9,000 one."
Adam Barling | Image courtesy of Vision Equine
Asked how Cool Gent had recovered ahead of his next assignment, Barling said everything had gone to plan.
"He's showing all the signs that he's pulled up in really good order," he said.
"He's (Cool Gent) showing all the signs that he's pulled up in really good order." - Adam Barling
"He's bucking his brand off and I think we've just got to go to that race. There's not really anything in Saturday's race that scares me.
"Some horses can be one-hit wonders but I'm sure he's not and we've just got to get the best out of him."
"Some horses can be one-hit wonders but I'm sure he's (Cool Gent) not and we've just got to get the best out of him." - Adam Barling
Once again, Cool Gent faces a field packed with well-bred and promising youngsters. Marffiano (Home Affairs) was runner-up behind him in the Listed Oxlade Stakes and they meet again, Klocke (Zoustar) remains an exciting and unexposed prospect, La Barrita (St Mark’s Basilica {Fr}) impressed winning in maiden grade last start, while The Machine Gun (Stay Inside) made a strong impression winning on debut at Canterbury and shapes as a leading chance for trainer Peter Snowden.
Can the tough Touristic keep turning up?
There will be no concerns over fitness for the Peter Snowden-trained Touristic (GB) (Frankel {GB}), who is now deep into a campaign that stretches to 10 starts. While his recent form may appear mixed on paper, Snowden believes the gelding continues to perform admirably in tough staying handicaps.
After beginning his preparation with a run in the Listed Festival Stakes behind Yorkshire (Snitzel) over 1500 metres in November, Touristic has enjoyed a profitable campaign, winning the Listed Canberra Cup while also placing in both the Listed January Cup and the Listed Gosford Cup two starts ago.
He was disappointing when finishing 10th in the Listed Mayors Cup behind Portland (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), but Snowden was prepared to forgive the performance.
Touristic (GB) | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
"Things didn't work out," Snowden told racingandsports.
"We've learned from that. It's all about riding him the right way. Ride him to his strengths, and he'll run really well."
"We've learned from that. It's all about riding him (Touristic) the right way. Ride him to his strengths, and he'll run really well." - Peter Snowden
Touristic has shown a liking for rain-affected tracks throughout his career and Snowden is hoping conditions will suit again.
"I would like to see the track a little wetter, but they are forecasting a few showers on Saturday. A five, six or seven is perfect for him," he said.
"He can turn this around on Saturday, no problem. He loves racing, and he's in really good shape."
Peter Snowden | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
It won't be easy, however, with Chris Waller's consistent gelding God’s Window (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) a deserved favourite, while Zaphod (Ire) (Zarak {Fr}), Know Thyself (The Autumn Sun) and Tavros (Bull Point) all have genuine claims.
Coeur Volante looks to collect more cash at Caulfield
The Ben, Will and JD Hayes-trained Coeur Volante (NZ) (Proisir) showed plenty of talent earlier in her career, winning the G2 Thousand Guineas Prelude as a 3-year-old, along with the G3 Mannerism Stakes and G3 Scarborough Stakes.
She was purchased by her new connections, Julia Ritchie's Bangaloe Stud and Widden Stud, for $500,000 via the 2025 Inglis Spring Boutique Online Sale last November with the intention of eventually visiting Zoustar at Widden Stud.
Coeur Volante (NZ) | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
The decision was made to return her to training and, in her new colours, she has already recouped some of that purchase price with a placing in the Listed Bel Esprit Stakes and a win in open handicap company at Sandown last start.
While her targets may have been lowered, she has the chance to add further earnings on Saturday in similar grade to that last-start victory.
Co-trainer Ben Hayes said there was every reason to continue racing her before she heads to stud.
"It's a chance for her to make some more money before the new breeding season," Hayes told racingandsports.
"It's a chance for her (Coeur Volante) to make some more money before the new breeding season." - Ben Hayes
"She's already a Group 2 winner and the only way you can improve the pedigree is winning a Group 1 and the only Group 1 left is the Tatts Tiara and she's not running there.
"She'll probably race into the spring. It's all worked out well with her and she was a nice, impressive winner last start," Hayes said.
"It was really good to get her back in the winner's stall."
Ben Hayes | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
She faces a full field under the impost of 58kg, with the biggest threats appearing to be the Charlotte Littlefield-trained Big Swinger (Shooting To Win), stablemate Grid Girl (NZ) (Time Test {GB}), while the Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman-trained Roadcone (Almanzor {Fr}) could prove the knockout chance.
Mountjoy chases black type in Adelaide
The Henry Dwyer-trained 2-year-old filly Mountjoy (Street Boss {USA}) will contest the newly named Listed David Peacock Oaklands Plate at Morphettville on Saturday following her impressive victory in the Elvstroem Classic at Swan Hill earlier this month.
Dwyer said the opportunity to chase valuable black type, coupled with Fontein Jewel (Lucky Vega {Ire}) winning at Flemington after being beaten by Mountjoy, has only strengthened his confidence in the decision to run.
Henry Dwyer | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
"The horse she beat at Swan Hill came out and won at Flemington the other day, so her form is good," Dwyer told Racingandsports.
"She can definitely run a place, if not win, and she's a well-bred filly that would be worth plenty if she could win over there."
Mountjoy is a daughter of Lorne (Redoute's Choice), who won over 1100 metres and was metropolitan placed in South Australia. As a Karaka graduate, Dwyer also has long-term plans for the lucrative Karaka Millions meeting at Ellerslie in January.
"We're going pretty deep into the winter with her running this week, and I reckon she probably wants a decent break, so we might even try to get her over to New Zealand for the Karaka Millions 3-year-old race," he said.
Mountjoy as a yearling | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
"We wanted to get her there for the 2-year-old race, but we might just be a year behind."
The Oaklands Plate looks an even contest, with Dwyer also represented by And There You Go (Hellbent).
"She surprised us a little by running so well. It was an open-age maiden, and she got home really well and nearly won," Dwyer said.
"She (Mountjoy) surprised us a little by running so well. It was an open-age maiden, and she got home really well and nearly won." - Henry Dwyer
"I think that's more than enough to go against those 2-year-olds over there, so it wouldn't surprise me if she ran a place."
Other leading chances include the speedy Snitzel filly Lalor, while the Pierro filly Adakite looks an improving, progressive type. Tweeter (Microphone) could also prove the upsetter for trainers Dan Clarken and Oopy MacGillivray.
