Manuel's stakes breakthrough
Autumn goals await Tony McEvoy's consistent campaigner Manuel (Commands) after he was rewarded with stakes success in the Listed bet365 Kilmore Cup.
Manuel atoned for a couple of narrow defeats at the recent Flemington carnival to lead pretty much all of the way under Luke Currie.
Stable representative Michael Shepherdson said Manuel will head for a spell and look for more black-type success in 2019.
"He's been really consistent this preparation and since he's been gelded really his form has been great," Shepherdson said. "He's always threatened to win a nice race and today he's done it.
"The autumn comes up pretty quick, I don't know what Tony has planned after today but there'll be some nice races in store for him in the autumn."
Bounce back in Goulburn Cup for Interlocuter
Godolphin's Interlocuter (USA) (Medaglia d'Óro {USA}) broke a 12-month winless streak to take out the $150,000 Goulburn Cup (1600m).
Having won five of his first seven starts in Australia, it appeared the 6-year-old had lost his best form, but the decision to geld him, plus a drop back to easier company proved the key
“He only went fair in Melbourne and unfortunately we had to resort to the gear change and geld him,” Godolphin representative Nacim Dilmi told Sky Racing.
“He was probably a little bit closer than we expected but it turned out perfect for him today."
“His best trip has always been a mile to 2000m so hopefully that gives him confidence for his next start.”
Fabrizio (High Chaparral {Ire}) was second by a long neck while Articus (Fr) (Areion {Ger})finished another half-length away in third.
Price's birthday triple treat
Mick Price marked his 60th birthday with a trio of winners at Kilmore on Cup day.
The Caulfield-based trainer marked his milestone in style with Mastering (Smart Missile) dominating the opening race, a benchmark 78, to win by six lengths in his first start since being gelded. On the strength of that victory, he looks a horse of some promise.
Tavistock Dancer (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) then debuted in a 1600m maiden with a fast-finishing win under Michael Walker.
Okotoks (Ocean Park {NZ}) wrapped up the treble by justifying his short quote to narrowly win Race 6, a Class 1.
Price also collected two winners on Saturday, making for a big weekend.
Iconoclasm presses on
Iconoclasm (Toorak Toff) will continue in his Perth campaign to the G1 Kingston Town Classic, but stablemate Peaceful State (Animal Kingdom {USA}) is headed home.
Iconoclasm finished eighth in Saturday's G1 Railway S. and that was enough for trainer Darren Weir to press on.
“He was good, he didn’t have a lot of luck, so he’ll press on to the Kingston Town in a fortnight,” Weir's foreman Jarrod McLean said.
“I think you’ll see him improve, but he needs to because it’s going to be a hot race.”
But after finishing last in the Railway, the decision has been made to send Peaceful State to the paddock.
High ambitions for Surely Sacred
Debutant Surely Sacred (NZ) (Rock ‘n’ Pop) looked a potential stakes horse with an impressive maiden victory at Te Repa on Sunday.
Sitting three deep and carrying the Raffles Racing colours, the Tony Pike trained 3-year-old saluted narrowly.
“He is a very attractive horse who had trialled up nicely coming into today,” Pike said.
“The wide gate was always going to be a trap so it was a good effort to sit three-deep on debut, without cover, and get up in what was a pretty handy three-year-old maiden."
“He’s still a bit green but once he steps up over further, he is going to be even better.”
The $160,000 Karaka yearling purchase holds a nomination for the G1 Levin Classic at Trentham in January.
