Manaal has signaled her readiness to return as a major contender in the Group 1 scene this Autumn Carnival with an impressive trial performance at Randwick on Tuesday. Despite a restrained ride from jockey Jason Collett, last year’s ATC Sires’ Produce Stakes winner surged home from the back of the field to finish just three-quarters of a length behind Too Darn Lizzie in a 900-metre workout. The daughter of Tassort continued her momentum past the post, showcasing her fitness ahead of a planned mid-February return to racing. This follows an earlier trial in January, where she finished third in a 740m hitout won by Mayfair.
Trainer Michael Freedman has set the Group 1 Surround Stakes (1400m), scheduled for March 1 at Randwick, as Manaal’s primary autumn target. The filly enjoyed a light three-run spring campaign last year, highlighted by her Group 2 victory in the Furious Stakes (1400m). Manaal is currently priced at $15 in the Surround Stakes market, with Chris Waller-trained fillies Autumn Glow and Lady Shenandoah leading as joint $4.50 favorites, followed by stablemate Aeliana at $6.
Tuesday’s trial also marked the first outing of the campaign for Thousand Guineas third-place finisher Too Darn Lizzie. Her Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained stablemate Dominetta, who also hasn’t raced since the Guineas, finished third in her first trial of the preparation. Powers Of Opal, making her first appearance since placing second in the VRC Oaks, coasted into fifth place, 2-1/2 lengths behind Too Darn Lizzie. Meanwhile, last-start Group 2 Matriarch Stakes winner Hinged had a quiet workout, spending most of the trial at the rear.
In another 900m trial featuring Group-class contenders, Mayfair, a Golden Rose placegetter who hasn’t raced since finishing last in the Caulfield Guineas, finished second behind the speedy Insurrection. Flight Stakes placegetter Snow In May also impressed, hitting the line stylishly for third.
Elsewhere, Sunlight’s sister Clean Energy, unbeaten in two starts and an $11 chance in Surround Stakes betting, finished second behind Junqueira in one of the open 1050m trials. The day also featured four juvenile trials, with Tulloch Lodge’s Zousain filly Bellazaine leading home impressive debut winner Rivellino in the 800m trial for raced two-year-olds. Manaal’s stablemate Marhoona, also owned by Emirates Park, secured an all-the-way win in a 1050m workout.
The two 740m juvenile trials were dominated by James Harron Bloodstock youngsters. Peter Snowden-trained Capitalist gelding Gambler cruised to a six-length victory, while Tulloch Lodge’s Exceed And Excel colt Anarchist scored a comfortable 1-1/4-length win over Wootton Lass.
