Greenfields Lodge finished second on the Perth Magic Millions vendor leaderboard with an average of $129,000 and there’s more good news ahead with its untapped youngster Boy Crush who is by Geisel Park sire Manhattan Rain.
Boy Crush (2c Manhattan Rain – Crushed by All Too Hard) was most impressive defeating They’reallsisters on debut at Ascot in January but she turned the tables back at Ascot a fortnight later. He went to the paddock but the Splintex filly franked that form with a fast-finishing second in the RL Magic Millions 2yo Classic (1200m) at Pinjarra on February 14.
Luke Fernie trains him for Greenfields Lodge principal Tony Patrizi and fellow part-owner Andrew Inglis and an obvious target is the G2 Karrakatta Plate (1200m) at Ascot on April 18.
Greenfields Lodge manager Lachlan Donnelly revealed Boy Crush (Photo / Western Racepix) returned to Ascot on Friday after a quick break at Greenfields in Capel. “He arrived a bit tired but freshened up in no time down here. He’s a colt and can be a pest if he’s bored but that won’t be a problem now that he’s back in work with Luke.”
Donnelly also reported the Swan Valley Sale results were more than satisfying with Pearce Racing spending a combined $685,000 for the Greenfields Lodge colts by Playing God (Lot 125) and Too Darn Hot (Lot 138).
“It was pleasing all round and the boss was very happy, too,” Donnelly said referring to the $129k average which was only bettered by Ridgeport Holdings ($164k). “It helped we had some lovely horses making up the consignment this year and we came home with a 100% clearance rate for the 15 Lots.”
Meanwhile, Boy Crush will take a traditional Karrakatta route through an autumn dress-rehearsal in the LR Perth Stakes (1100m) at Ascot on April 4.
Perth’s premier juvenile event is worth $500,000 and there are other sons and daughters of the Geisel Park resident set for a slice of the $46 million available over the six-week Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival.
Jigsaw (7g Manhattan Rain – Demandez by Lonhro) returned home to Melbourne after a last-start victory in the G1 NZ Railway Stakes (1200m) and showed no after-effects from that trip across the Tasman when runner-up in a Caulfield barrier trial over 800m on Wednesday.
He’s part-owned and trained by Cindy Alderson at Cranbourne and she joined her father Colin in the Group 1 training ranks at Ellerslie. What’s more, he was bred by her mother Lynne. “It really can’t get any better,” Cindy said in an emotional speech at the presentation.
“He’s a beautiful horse and has been with us right from the start. He was in the doldrums for a year or two and I can’t pinpoint any reason for the resurgence other than the fact he’s regained his confidence.”
Jigsaw holds a Group 1 entry to the $3 million T J Smith Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on April 4.
Sabaj (4g Manhattan Rain – Bouzy by Uncle Mo) was one of the most improved horses in training during the Melbourne spring carnival highlighted by a track-record victory for the LR Cranbourne Cup (1400m) in November.
He’s still on an upward curve after a first-up second in The Elms Hcp (1400m) at Flemington on February 14 that prompted co-trainer Michael Kent jnr to label him a Group 1 contender this year. “I do think it’s the best we’ve ever had him. He’s strengthening all the time so we will see where the autumn takes us.
“He’s very progressive and is thriving. He’s dappled from head to toe and looks enormous. It’s exciting because we’re not sure where his ceiling is yet but the Doncaster could be a target.”
The G1 Doncaster Mile (1600m) worth $4 million will be run on the same day as the T J Smith Stakes at Randwick on April 4.
Benagil (4m Manhattan Rain – Des Moines by War) also holds an entry for the Doncaster Mile on Day 1 of The Championships at Randwick. She won the G1 Australasian Oaks (2400m) at Morphettville last year and will only improve on a first-up fifth in the G3 Mannerism Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on February 21.
“She’s come back extra well and it’s just a shame she struck a heavy track in the (G1) Mackinnon Stakes at Flemington before spelling,” trainer Glen Thompson said. “That Heavy 9 really pulled her up.”
Benagil is a homebred for former Blue Gum Farm owners Phillip and Patti Campbell and an alternative Group 1 closer to home would be the $2 million Australian Cup (2000m) at Flemington on March 28.
New York Hurricane kept the till ticking over for Manhattan Rain in the $100,000 Wangaratta Cup (2000m) on Saturday. It was his third trophy for trainer and managing part-owner Liam Howley following the 2024 Elmore Cup (1600m) at Bendigo and 2024 Kyneton Cup (2000m).
Photo / A third trophy for New York Hurricane at Wangaratta
“He’s quirky and there were the usual theatrics before the race,” Howley said following the last-stride victory over Benagil’s French-bred stablemate Gregolimo (Galiway). “He’s a character but has the ability without question and it was beautifully-timed ride by Alana (Kelly). He goes out to the farm at Mount Macedon for a few days between starts and the water-walker helps him stay fit.”
New York Hurricane (6g Manhattan Rain – Al Dhakira by Elusive Quality) sold for $70,000 as a yearling and Saturday’s result sent his earning through $500,000. His USA-bred dam Al Dhakira descends from USA Hall Of Fame mare Serena’s Song (Rahy).
