Adam
1 October 2024
There was really good depth to the Manikato, and the move to AFL Grand Final eve was seemingly very well received. Not only the Manikato, but the entire card in general, including a blockbuster four horse Feehan Stakes.
PRIDE OF JENNI set the track alight, after adjustments, running 9.7L quicker to an "All Averages" benchmark, and 3.1L quicker than the class average (Group 2). The track played 3.5L quicker than standard based on RI track averages.
Taking nothing away from PRIDE OF JENNI, but it is the crowd favourite, war horse, MR BRIGHTSIDE that you just have to be impressed with. He does the donkey work, and he is just so, so consistent. His performance figure matched the winning figure to that of PRIDE OF JENNI, who I think just had the perfect scenario to break the shackles this prep.
She had done nothing wrong leading in, and the knocking of her was unwarranted off her FUP run. She builds into her prep, and that performance cemented that logic. She will all bar hold that figure this prep in my opinion, but I do maintain she will be found out past the mile.
To the Manikato, and the talk of Williams' ride late on GROWING EMPIRE was nothing short of pocket talk. The star colt was under the bat before the turn and clearly tiring over the concluding stages. That is not to say I don't think a different jockey doesn't get the bob, but there was absolutely nothing wrong with what Williams did over the last 50m, and that has been validated.
They went 3.3L + early, slackening slightly through the middle, with SOUTHPORT TYCOON sitting back coiled up. The win was good, but how good? The final section backed up the visual, however there were a couple of other runs that warrant attention; I WISH I WIN and CLIMBING STAR.
I WISH I WIN has had his knockers, and I can understand why, putting in two consecutive sub 100 ratings (first time since his Au debut prep). However, that is a pretty one dimensional take on the star sprinter, and if ratings were everything, we'd have the form done in five minutes.
Moonee Valley is an excuse enough on it's own, and I think you would be hard pressed to say he is not back pretty close to prior preps. I can back this up with his FUP RI performance figure exceeding his Black Caviar, Memsie, and TJ resuming runs. There was plenty enough in his run in the Manikato, despite the actual rating, given he has come deep and finished off.
The Sangster winner, CLIMIBING STAR was back with I WISH I WIN, and whilst not taking the wide path, she was caught in behind traffic, and really didnt get to stretch out to her full capacity. I don't believe she is proven to be up to the top tier just yet, but very interested in following her next start, as I believe she is back very well. I AM ME is strengthening the SA form reference, as is ARKANSAW KID.
All ratings and figures are derived and quoted from in house Racing Intel ©️ database, built on premiere racing software "Rapro", using verified times supplied by Daily Sectionals.