Manuel makes All-Star case

1 year ago

C.F. Orr Stakes roughie Manuel turned in a brilliant dress rehearsal for the inaugural running of the $5 million All-Star Mile at Caulfield on Saturday.

Sent off at $21 – having been double that quote during the week – the Tony McEvoy-trained gelding caused a boilover in the $500,000 feature, leading from start to finish over the 1400 metres under Luke Currie.

The All-Star Mile is the world's richest 1600-metre race, and will be run at Flemington on March 16.

Fourteen runners will contest the race, with 10 of those decided by public vote, while the remaining four 'wildcard' slots will be determined by racing administrators

Speaking on Racing.com after Manuel's remarkable performance, stable representative Calvin McEvoy said: "He's the one we have wanted to get in the race from the beginning; hopefully a few people have been watching and they’ll kick up for him."

He just keeps kicking! Manuel wins the C.F. Orr Stakes, unbelievable. pic.twitter.com/rHI6We9MjI

— Racing.com (@Racing) February 9, 2019

Tab.com.au slashed Manuel's All-Star Mile quote from $101 to $26.

Manuel has always shown plenty of ability, but until today, hadn't delivered on his potential.

Prior to his Orr victory, his biggest win was last year's Kilmore Cup at Listed level.

"He's a horse we've had so much time for," McEvoy said.

"Last prep, he just ran so consistently – a lot of seconds, a lot of firsts.

"He came here today and obviously we were the outsider, but what a ride by Luke, he just got to the front and controlled the race, and he was so strong through the line."

pic.twitter.com/4y72TC2whr

— Manuel The Racehorse (@VoteForManuel) February 1, 2019

Kementari and Land Of Plenty dead-heated for second, while Brave Smash was fourth.

Earlier, Nature Strip took out the G2 Rubiton Stakes (1100m) at his first start for Chris Waller.

Nature Strip was slow away under Damian Lane, but showed his customary dash in winning by three-and-a-half-lengths over Jungle Edge and Thermal Current.

Waller's Melbourne foreperson Johanne Taylor said: "It was fantastic to see him do this today and produce what we know is a class performance that he's capable of producing and now we've got something to build on and we know what we are dealing with as well.

"He was just in a class of his own today."

And in the Blue Diamond Preludes, the Anthony Freedman-trained I Am Immortal (G2 Colts and Geldings) maintained his unbeaten record with Ben Melham aboard, while stablemate Lyre (G3 Fillies) caused an upset with Lane in the saddle.

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