Manaal is the horse that put her sire Tassort on the map when she won the Group III ATC Gimcrack Stakes on debut two years ago as a spring 2YO and the now 4YO mare is still going strong scoring a powerful win in the $300,000 Group II ATC Sheraco Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill on Saturday.
Trained by Michael Freedman, Manaal went on to win the Group I ATC Sires Produce Stakes at two and then returned last season to win the Group II ATC Furious Stakes and she looks set for another fruitful campaign.
Sent to Melbourne to avoid a heavy track first up she could only finish eighth to Magic Time in the Group III MRC Cockram Stakes, but returning to familiar surrounds at Rosehill Manaal produced her A game for Jason Collett.
She accelerated smartly from back in the field to power past her rivals and win by half a length over the long shot Dark Glitter with hot favourite Gangsta Granny in third place after travelling wide throughout.
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Bred and retained to race by Emirates Park, Manaal has the impressive record of five wisn and three placings from 14 starts with prizemoney topping $1.7million.
“She is a great mare. It’s been a little while between drinks for her. I was just saying before last preparation she had wretched luck with barriers. We drew off the track I don’t know how many times. She was running well without much luck, but she seemed to come back in good order this preparation,” Freedman said.
“There are lots of good options for 4yo mares in the Spring. You have The Invitation ($2million) and being a 4yo the Golden Eagle wouldn’t be out of the equation.
“I think we just pick our way a little bit from here. I’m just really heartened by the fact I can see she is back in good form.”
Manaal is the best of three winners from four foals to race from Midshipman mare Red Lodge (USA), a stakes-winning half-sister to stakes-winner Good Like Magic and a granddaughter of the exceptional dual Group I winner Memories Of Silver.
Red Lodge produced a colt by Justify (USA) last spring and then missed to Tassort so will have no foal this year.
Manaal is the first stakes-winner of the new season for Tassort, who stands at Newgate at a fee of $38,500.
