Man Crush notched a second sales-related feature for trainer Luke Fernie in the RL Magic Millions WA 3YO Trophy (1200m) at Pinjarra on Saturday.
He’s the 17th Stakes winner for Geisel Park stallion Manhattan Rain after taking control under Paul Harvey and then rolling to a two-length victory over Malkar Pindari (Gingerbread Man). “This bloke is super tough and runs a great race every time even though he never draws a barrier,” Fernie said. “The on-speed bias today meant he had to go forward to make best use of his speed and strength.
“He’s pretty stiff not to have won more races and I have to thank Rebecca Nairn. She sent him back from a break looking fit, healthy and in fantastic order.”
Man Crush (Photo / Western Racepix) had won the Crystal Slipper (1200m) at Ascot last season and had been runner-up to boom filly Amelia’s Jewel in the LR Belgravia Stakes (1200m) in October.
Fernie won last year’s RL Magic Millions 2YO Classic with Sheeza Belter (Gold Standard) before she was transferred to Snowden Racing for a Group 1 victory in the J J Atkins Stakes (1600m) in Brisbane.
Misty Valley Thoroughbreds owner Tony Patrizi bred Man Crush from All Too Hard mare Crushed who became the first daughter of the Vinery Stud sire to foal a Stakes winner.
Second-dam Juice (Bertolini) was a Group 1 winner of the NZ Breeders’ Stakes (1600m) at Te Aroha in 2010.
Man Crush, like Magic Millions 2YO Classic winner Super Smink, was a $45,000 graduate from the Swan Valley and has now earned over $320,000. Patrizi has his yearling half-sister by Maschino and Crushed in back in foal to Manhattan Rain off a September 1 cover last year.
Geisel Park manager Conor Dunlop has prepped a half-dozen yearlings for this week’s Perth Magic Million including a Manhattan Rain chestnut filly from Miss Matilda (Lot 141). She’s the second foal out of a winning half-sister to Deja Blue (LR Rosemont Stud Stakes) and Triple Gold (LR Taj Rossi Series Final).
“She’s a standout and we rate her highly,” Dunlop declared. “I would be surprised if there’s a better walking filly on the sale-grounds.”
The Myalup nursery will start its run with the I’m All The Talk – Vacillare colt (Lot 34). He’s a half-brother to G3 WA Gimcrack Stakes flyer Kiss Bang Love (Demerit) and the dam of All The King’s Men (King’s Troop). “All The King’s Men is a top-class 3yo and can keep improving the pedigree this campaign,” Dunlop predicted. “Our colt is exceptional and is probably the pick of our draft.”
Geisel Park has entered two yearlings by its Group 1 stallion All American starting with the filly from Soliloquy (Lot 188). “She will be an asset to any stable,” Dunlop said. “She’s well-bred and well put together.” Soliloquy’s All American sprinter-miler Westriver Miracle won three times in four starts during the last winter season at Belmont.
Meanwhile, Fernie and Geisel Park owner Eddie Rigg will back up Laced Up Heels (Toronado) at Sandown after she finished midfield in the G3 Kevin Hayes Stakes (1100m) last Saturday. “She worked home and only finished a length or two from the winner,” Dunlop reported on Monday. “She had a good blow and the boys decided to go again. The step up to 1400m in the (G2) Angus Armansco will suit her second-up this Saturday.”
Excerpts of this article were first published on Breednet