Greenfields Lodge owner Tony Patrizi hit the jackpot when choosing Manhattan Rain as the first stallion for his maiden mare Crushed (All Too Hard).
That initial cover created Man Crush who has earned $930,000 to date with highpoints in the LR Miss Andretti Stakes (1200m) at Ascot and RL Magic Millions 3YO Trophy (1200m) at Pinjarra for a Luke Fernie stable syndicate that includes his father Peter and Kalgoorlie owner Andrew Inglis
Man Crush will appear second-up in the LR Scenic Blast Stakes (1200m) at Ascot this Saturday but may well be overshadowed by his Geisel Park-conceived Manhattan Rain younger full-brother and stablemate Boy Crush.
“Boy Crush has big shoes to fill as a brother to our stable stalwart but he’s a professional and made a big impression first-up a fortnight ago,” Fernie claimed. “He’s identical to Man Crush at the same age in so many ways although, unlike his brother, we taught him some manners and kept him a colt.”
Patrizi retained Boy Crush and races him in partnership with Inglis. He has opened a $2.40 favourite against a sharp field of colts and fillies in the $80,000 Magic Millions Plate (1200m) this Saturday ahead of the RL Magic Millions 2YO Classic (1200m) worth $250,000 at Pinjarra on February 14.
Rich rewards in $250,000 races also attract sons of Winning Rupert like Savoyard and Splash Of Steel. Winning Rupert (Written Tycoon) was purchased by Fernie out of the Hunter Valley to stand alongside Manhattan Rain (Encosta De Lago) at Geisel Park.
Savoyard (3g Winning Rupert – Top Dolly by Choisir) qualified for the $250,000 Ladbrokes Future Stars Final (1200m) at Pakenham on February 26 following an eye-catching debut in Heat 2 of the Future Stars Series last Friday night.
Savoyard wins first-up at Pakenham (Image: Racing Photos)
The Cliff Brown‑trainee circled the field passing the 400m pole and maintained that momentum to rush past the favourite Ten Warriors (Saxon Warrior) to score by half a length.
“I told Michael (Dee) to put him wherever he’s happy,” Brown said. “Just keep him in his comfort zone and then see what he can do. I wasn’t really expecting a win that good but it’s great.”
Splash Of Steel (3g Winning Rupert – Filly Of Steel by Charge Forward) was runner-up in the $250,000 Magic Millions Maiden Plate (1100m) at the Gold Coast on Saturday after flying home from the tail of a capacity field.
“Tyler (Schiller) jumped off and told me he wins from a good gate,” Scone-based trainer Rod Northam revealed. “It was a nine-hour float trip up there and back and he pulled up okay. He will have an easy week and then we will look for a ‘Super Maiden’. He’s a cracking horse and I love him. He was having a lend of me as a 2yo but is genuine since being gelded.”
Hoofnote: Winning Rupert mare Madhi Girl has opened a $3.10 favourite for the LR Scenic Blast Stakes (1200m) this Saturday while Man Crush is rated a $20 chance to return to winning form at black-type level.
Madhi Girl (4m Winning Rupert – Very Angry Gal by Gingerbread Man) is trained by Simon Miller and she has earned over $500,000 for owner Teleah Hulse after being bred and sold by Tabradio reporter Digby Beacham for $68,000 at the 2023 Perth Magic Millions.
