Manaya out for the Spring

Promising filly Manaya will be sent to the paddock and will miss the rest of Spring Carnival after pulling up with back soreness when unplaced in the Group 2 $175,000 Alpha Flight Services Silver Shadow Stakes (1200m) at Randwick last Saturday.

Manaya, black and red colours above, pulled up with a sore back after being unplaced in the Silver Shadow Stakes at Randwick. Photo by Steve Hart.

Manaya, black and red colours above, pulled up with a sore back after being unplaced in the Silver Shadow Stakes at Randwick. Photo by Steve Hart.

Manaya at $4 was sent out as one of the favourites for the Silver Shadow Stakes but could only manage to finish sixth, six and a half lengths behind the Chris Waller trained Omei Sword, the $2.30 top pick.

Jockey Glyn Schofield reported to Stewards following Manaya’s poor effort that he was caught three and four wide throughout the race, but added that the filly was disappointing in the run to the line.

Warwick Farm trainer Michael Costa has subsequently reported to stewards that Manaya was found to be sore over the back following her run in the Silver Shadow Stakes and would be sent to the paddock to recover.

While Costa is unhappy that the Hinchinbrook filly won’t be competing during the Spring Carnival, he is glad that the injury is not serious and the talented filly will be able to bounce back in the future.

“I’m happier being in this position than going out to Dubbo on Monday with another horse that doesn’t have the ability,” Costa told G1X.com.au.

“I woke up deflated Sunday morning, but I’m also grateful that she’s pulled up with something that’s not going to stop her from progressing in the future.”

“She trotted-up sound but she was severely sore over the back. The injury is one that can be primary or secondary,” Costa said.

“It can come from the stifle or the hocks but because we put her on anti-inflammatories just after the race, we’ve got to wait for them to wear off before we start to poke and prod.

“We’re going to keep her in the stable a few more days, do a few more tests and determine what the problem is, but ultimately she’ll go to the paddock and come back a bigger and stronger horse next prep.”

Costa had high hopes for Manaya in the Spring after the filly scored an impressive win on debut in the Listed $140,00 Pryde’s Easifeed Woodlands Stakes (1100m) at Scone on May 14, but now he will have to wait before she can deliver on that potential.

“We’re just going to have to wait that bit longer to get that Group race,” Costa said.

“It’ll make that next victory so much sweeter, now that we’ve had a little bit of a setback.”

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.