Manhattan takes Group Three feature

Manhattan’s (Bettor’s Delight) future broodmare value received its second major boost in five days at Alexandra Park on Friday night (Dec. 9).

But don’t bother trying to buy the exciting harness racing mare because the syndicate who own her are having the time of their lives and are just as excited about breeding from her in the future.

Manhattan earned her ninth career win and her first Group 3 when she led throughout in the Caduceus Club Northern Breeders Stakes with Matty White handling her beautifully, never taking his foot off the gas after she raced to the front.

She was well clear at the top of the straight and never looked in danger from favourite Darling Me, who after going back at the start didn’t have an economical option to improve as the winner kept up a 1:55.6 mile rate for the 2200m mobile.

MANHATTAN REPLAY

The pair will meet again in the Queen Of Hearts at Alexandra Park next Friday when Manhattan will try and become a Group 1 winner but her little half-sister No Matter Wat did just that at Addington last Sunday when she also led throughout to win the NZ Oaks.

So it has been a hell of a week for the daughter of Bettors Delight with the potential of more to come.

“She just loves it in front and Matty drove her perfectly,” said trainer Bob Butt after watching the race from Addington.

“She is just like her sister in that, both really good front runners so we will try and do the same again next week in the Queen Of Hearts if we get the right draw.

“And I am pretty sure Matty will be staying on her.”

Manhattan is owned by The Travelling Reserves Syndicate, who Butt describes as “a great bunch of blokes having the time of their lives.”

While most syndicates don’t breed from mares because it can be a complicated business, the owners have told him they would like to in the future.

“You would think with the way the family is going and how fast this mare is a nice colt out of her would start at $100,000 at the sales every day of the week.”

A Group 1 next week would cap a remarkable season for Butt who has trained 46 winners this year to be sixth on the national trainer’s premiership.

“It has been unreal,” he says.

“I am lucky to have great owners and staff and I am loving it.”

Later in the night dual NZ Cup winner Copy That returned with an effortless win over a mile in 1:52.3 after being three wide for the first 500m and lets hope he can get starts in the remaining feature races at the carnival to add some class to Alexandra Park’s December offerings.

COPY THAT REPLAY

For complete race results, click here.

by Michael Guerin, for Harness Racing New Zealand