FLEM I NG TON PREVIEW January 16, 2010 CHESTER MANIFOLD STAKES (1410M) Race 6, 4.05pm (Melbourne time) The Listed Chester Manifold Stakes, run at Flemington, is one of the first feature races of the New Year, but it also is a race that has been won by some significant horses. The great Super Impose won it in 1991 – he had already won a Doncaster Handicap, Epsom Handicap and a Turnbull Stakes – which was his first-up run in his best year of racing, going to win another Doncaster and Epsom, and two other Group 1 races. It was the start of a stellar run for the Chester Manifold – the 1991 Melbourne Cup runner-up Shiva’s Revenge won it first-up in 1992, Caulfield Cup winner Fraar in his CC year, 1993, and the outstanding Durbridge won in 1994. Other important winners include Group 1 winners Oliver Twist (2000) and Mr. Murphy (2004). The Chester Manifold is a race of more value than its Listed status dictates. This year’s event doesn’t include a horse the class of Super Impose, but trainer David Hayes will be hoping the race can launch his 2009 Group 1 Australian Cup third placegetter Zagreb towards winning the race this campaign. Zagreb will find this race significantly easier than his firstup ninth behind Vigor in the Group 2 Makybe Diva Stakes (wfa 1600m) at Flemington in the spring – a spring campaign was aborted after the 5YO bled in the
Group 1 Turnbull Stakes. Zagreb’s class, when he performs at his best, puts him right in this race with a strong winning chance, but he will need to overcome the top weight Time Matters , who was very impressive in finishing a first-up third behind Here De Angels in the Listed Christmas Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on Boxing Day. Time Matters has the tactical speed to park just off the leading bunch and the 1400m looks ideal for him, although trainer Darren Weir has to look for a replacement jockey for Damien Oliver, who has decided to stay in Perth with his mother (injured in a car accident). The last time Time Matters raced at Flemington, he shared the pace when a solid second behind Gran Sasso (1200m) on May 30, but he hasn’t won in three starts on the track. However, 1400m is a perfect trip for him, as his best win is over the distance – in the Group 3 Carlyon Cup at Caulfield in February last year after winning the Listed John Dillon Stakes over the same course/trip three weeks earlier. Lee Freedman’s Argentine import Scenica , a Group 1 winner in her homeland, showed a touch of class winning over this course at Flemington on December 19. The grey mare will be fitter and expect jockey Dwayne Dunn to ride her forward, which always is the good tactic around the flat, turning 1400m course. Promising lightweights Berringama and Ship In The
SPEED MAP Predicted positions on settling
AND ALSO We’ve read about how Caulfield trainer Peter Moody has plenty of ammunition for the big autumn races, but the Moody stable is strong across the board, as his standing on the trainers’ premiership attests – with 32 metro wins (at 18.7%) he is clear of Mark Kavanagh (23 at 22%), Danny O’Brien (22 at 14.9%) and Lee Freedman (22 at 13.9%). Along for the ride (in the nicest sense of the words) is Luke Nolen, who with 25 wins at 14.6% is seated comfortably alongside Dwayne Dunn (25 at 10.8%) and Jason Maskiell (25 at 17.6%) chasing leader Damien Oliver (28). Moody and Nolen have become a formidable team since the trainer engaged Nolen sight unseen for two rides at Sale some six years ago, thinking he was getting Luke’s brother Shaun. Both horses won. Now, of course, all L. Nolen rides are for the right man. “Molen” – or “Noody” if you like – has a handful of runners at Flemington tomorrow, and a parlay here or a straight-out punt there can give you a bank for when the two get together this campaign with Black Caviar, Headway or Wanted or ... Tomorrow’s conveyances are: Tan Tat Tess (R1), a last-start Mornington winner coming to town; Encosta Belief (R2, $2.50, probably the anchor bet); Testa Jesta (R5, $8), an eachway chance after his Adelaide win; Pass Me By (R6, $17), whose name says it all first up – wait for 2400-2500m; and Hussyanna (R8, $7), another strong eachway chance after a last-start win. Stephen Howell