Manhattan out to defend her title

Manhattan (Bettor’s Delight) is out to defend her harness racing title in the Group Three Caduceus Club Northern Breeders Stakes at Alexandra Park tonight (Dec. 8).

“She had a trial last Friday and went well,” trainer Bob Butt said.

The five year old mare won the mares feature last year defeating the likes of Darling Me and Stylish Memphis.

“She loves going that way round and the racing up there suits her.”

She’s currently stabled at John Dickies barn and northern reinsman David Butcher gets to drive the five year old who will run from barrier five with her main rival Aardies Express drawn on her outside.

“Lady Of The Light and a couple of others get out of the gate really good. I’ll just leave it up to David (Butcher). He knows what he’s doing. She is good coming off a helmet. She loves to get in a dogfight but if she has to get a trail it’s not the end of the world.”

If Manhattan makes it safely through tonight’s race she will take her place in the G1 $110,000 Queen Of Hearts in a weeks time. She finished a close second to Allamericanlover in last year’s edition, beaten by a neck.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink