A sparse spring and extensive break have laid a strong platform for top filly Manaal to again make her mark on the Sydny autumn carnival, starting in the Light Fingers Stakes.
With owners Emirates Park keen to continue racing the three-year-old beyond this season, trainer Michael Freedman opted to tip her out after three spring carnival runs with a view to extending her longevity.
Chuffed by the manner in which she has returned, he is glad he did.
“It was good to give her a nice spell and she really enjoyed it,” Freedman said.
“Her owner has always expressed a desire to try to have a filly that could potentially race on as a four-year-old mare, so there was a little bit of that in the thinking as well, giving her every opportunity to potentially race on at four, rather than reaching a point in her three-year-old year where she was a spent force.”
Manaal had a busy two-year-old season, culminating in her ATC Sires’ Produce Stakes triumph (1400m) and was competitive in all three spring starts which included a Furious Stakes (1200m) victory.
An awkward gate in 11 of 14 has somewhat dented Freedman’s confidence for this weekend and he admits Manaal will need luck and a good steer from Jason Collett.
“We will have to give some thought to how we ride her from out there because it is a sticky sort of barrier,” he said.
“But if Jason can navigate a good path on her and give her as soft a run as possible early she can be running home late. I’m really happy with where she’s at.”
All being well, Manaal will follow a traditional path to the Surround Stakes (1400m) at Randwick in two weeks and pending her performances to open her campaign, Freedman may consider a winter carnival bid in Queensland.
“I’ll take those two races at the moment and have a think after that,” Freedman said.
“Longer-term, she could potentially campaign in Brisbane for a race like the Stradbroke (Handicap). Three-year-olds have a very good record in that down in the weights, so that’s in the back of my mind.”
As it does most years, the Light Fingers Stakes (1200m) has attracted an intriguing field of proven and up-and-coming fillies highlighted by Golden Slipper winner Lady Of Camelot and Flight Stakes heroine Lady Shenandoah along with the unbeaten Dance To The Boom.