Manzor Blue looks to climb Remutaka Summit
Go Racing’s progressive staying mare Manzor Blue has a steep climb ahead of her, but GR General Manager Matt Allnutt thinks she’s well equipped for the journey.
The impressive winner of her last two starts has been nominated for the $350,000 Remutaka Classic (2100m) at Trentham on Saturday week.
“Those two wins were her first two starts over ground,” Allnutt said.
“She’s become quite the revelation since she’s stepped up in distance.”
The Lisa Latta-trained mare kicked off her career as a three-year-old last season. Her first four starts netted four sixth placings that did little to inspire her owners, the Go Racing Amalfi Syndicate.
Returning as a four-year-old she put together three placings over 1400 metres and the two eye-catching wins over 2100m, coming from well back in the field to win on both occasions.
“She’s by Almanzor and they can take a little bit of time to mature, but they can be very good stayers and that’s exactly her, Allnutt said.
“Her first preparation she was just a bit immature but this time in she’s shaped up well and since we’ve stepped her up in distance, she’s shown a very good turn of foot to finish her races.”
With a starting limit of 14 and a total of 57 horses nominated for the race, 22 rated above her, getting a start in the race is going to be her first challenge.
“We’d really like to make the field if she can, but if she doesn’t, we’ll find other options for her,” Allnutt said.
“We certainly think she’s a Cups horse in the making and she’ll go further than the 2100m that she’s won at so far, there’s no issues there.
“She looks like a stayer that’s really going places and she’s really quite exciting.”
Bred by Milan Park’s Tony Rider, Manzor Blue is out of the Zabeel mare Turquoise Coast from the family of Group One winners De Beers, Tristalove and Viking Ruler.
She was selected by Go Racing and purchased out of Milan Park’s 2022 Karaka Book 1 draft.
Photo: Manzor Blue, with Kate Hercock onboard winning her last start.