Chris Waller saw some positive signs in Manzoice’s first preparation as a gelding and he remains hopeful the Victoria Derby winner can continue to build on that this spring.
The 2022 classic victor will be the first of Waller’s Group 1 brigade to kick off their season when he resumes in the Premier’s Cup Prelude (1800m) at Randwick on Saturday.
Most of the stable’s big guns, including Fangirl and Via Sistina, will return on Winx Stakes day on August 24, but being a stayer, Waller says Manzoice needs to be getting his campaign underway sooner.
“He will be the first of our spring runners,” Waller said.
“The stayers, you’ve got to get them up and going early.
“They will go there (on Saturday) and then to another race in two or three weeks’ time, like a Wyong Cup, then you’re just about at the Metropolitan.”
Manzoice was a brilliant winner of the 2022 Victoria Derby (2500m) but failed to rediscover that form in his next six starts.
Connections made the decision to geld him last summer, and while he mixed his performances at his next preparation, he wasn’t beaten far in a brace of Listed middle-distance races and managed a runner-up finish behind Post Impressionist in the N E Manion Cup (2400m).
Waller has been happy with the five-year-old’s progression this time in, and his two recent barrier trials.
“He has shown glimpses of form,” he said.
“He’s first-up over 1800 metres but in his trials, we have been trying to ride him a bit closer.
“He’s a lovely horse. He shows us a lot more at home, but if you’ve won a Derby, you don’t just lose it completely.
“We’ve still got hope that he can come back, and he will head towards a Metropolitan.”
Manzoice heads Waller’s five-strong contingent for the Premier’s Cup Prelude, which also includes last start Randwick winner Aramco and import Canberra Legend.
Canberra Legend turned in an eye-catching performance first-up last preparation when he finished a half-length fourth to stablemate More Felons in the Parramatta Cup (1900m) despite being posted three-wide throughout.
He has another tricky draw to contend with in barrier 11 of 13, but Waller won’t be surprised to see him sprint well fresh.
“He has trialled well and for a stayer, he hasn’t been getting beaten far in his trials,” Waller said.
A field of 11 has been accepted for Sydney’s first black-type event of the new season, the Group 2 Missile Stakes (1200m), headlined by Hawkesbury Guineas winner Schwarz.