The Championships Day 1: Manaal wins 2024 Group 1 Sires Produce Stakes
Manaal won the G1 Sires'
For all the hype that the colts would dominate two-year-old racing this season, all three Group 1 races for the juveniles run so far have been won by fillies.
Manaal added her name to that list when she finished powerfully to win the $1 million Inglis Sires Produce Stakes (1400m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday.
The Michael Freedman-trained Manaal's win came after Lady Of Camelot won the Golden Slipper and Hayasugi took out the Blue Diamond.
It was Freedman who initially baulked at the suggestions the colts were superior to the fillies this season because he was acutely aware of Manaal's talents.
"Manaal is an outstanding filly, I have had so much faith in this filly from the word go," Freedman said.
"She was showing the signs of a good two-year-old in the spring when she won the Gimcrack Stakes.MANAAL GETS THE BOB IN THE GROUP 1 INGLIS SIRES'! 💚@MFreedmanRacing@EmiratesParkpic.twitter.com/UdsEzQlOPY
- 7HorseRacing ðŸÂÂÂŽ (@7horseracing) April 6, 2024
"I thought her run in the Widden Stakes at the end of January giving Lady Of Camelot 3kg on a ‘leaderish' track was terrific.
"She has since won the Sweet Embrace, she was a bit stiff in the Golden Slipper and has won the Sires. I've got nothing but praise for her."
In an exciting finish, Manaal ($5.50), ridden by Jason Collett, charged home to collar Godolphin colt Traffic Warden ($7.50) right on the line to win by a half head with Coleman ($8) a length away third.
Storm Boy was backed into $2.05 favouritism and although he did endure a wide run, the boom colt faded to finish fourth, beaten about three lengths.
Coolmore's Tom Magnier said Storm Boy has had a long preparation and will now be spelled.
James McDonald, rider of Storm Boy, said the colt was "trapped deep and he just refused to settle there for a bit."
But nothing could be taken away from Manaal who was back last from the turn but finished powerfully for a deserved Group 1 win.
MORE: What the jockeys said after Manaal's Sires Produce Stakes 2024 win
Collett said Manaal has a "real attitude and toughness about her which showed late" in the race.
"I travelled well when the tempo came off she just came under pressure there when they went and just had to give her the time to wind up," Collett said.
"I was trying to hold Coleman in but he's a big horse and I'm not, so he got out, and I just then had to give her time to rebalance.
"I thought I might have only had to Coleman to beat, but Traffic Warden was still there, and luckily she got her nose down."
Freedman said Manaal's win was compensation for the filly's luckless fifth in the Golden Slipper.
"We actually went home a little bit dejected after the Golden Slipper with the circumstances the way they were," the trainer said.
"But after her work on Tuesday I said to the owner, Hussain Lootah, with no disrespect to the opposition, it would take a good one to beat her.
"I actually watched the race with Hussain and we were both unsure on the line but she's such a good filly and wanted to win.
"I'm very happy for Hussain and Emirates Park. They own half of Tassort who is an exciting stallion and I hope we can get a few more by him.
"Manaal is a real sweetheart about the stable, she has the most beautiful temperament and that is the Tassorts.
"I remember this filly came into work around this time last year for her first preparation.
"It's a long haul to get these horses and it takes the good ones to still be there fighting it out when these big races come around. These big days are what we all do it for."
Freedman said he "never makes decisions on raceday" but was lukewarm about keeping the filly in training for the Group 1 Champagne Stakes (1600m) at Royal Randwick in two weeks.
With Champion Two-year-old honours up for grabs, Manaal could clinch the title if she can claim a second Group 1 win later this month but Freedman said this would not influence his decision on whether to keep the filly in training for one more start this season.
"I think she will run a mile whether that is the Champagne in two weeks or wait for the spring," Freedman said. "We will let the dust settle before making those decisions."
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