The 2016 Manfred Stakes nominations have been released and a number of talented three-year-olds are a chance to return to the races in the Group 3 event at Caulfield on Saturday.
Ready For Victory is set to return to the races in the 2016 Manfred Stakes at Caulfield on Saturday. Photo by: Adrienne Bicknell
Ready For Victory was unable to record a race win during the 2015 Spring Racing Carnival and he has just one win from his eight race starts, but he was still able to produce a number of quality performances during his preparation.
The More Than Ready colt returned to the races with a fast-finishing second in the Group 3 McNeil Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on August 29 and he went on to finish third in the Group 2 Danehill Stakes (1200m) at Flemington on September 12 and the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas (1600m) on October 10 before he failed to fire in the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) at Flemington on October 31.
Ready For Victory is joined in the Manfred Stakes nominations by stablemate Prince Of Brooklyn, who failed fire during his spring preparation.
Prince Of Brooklyn was well-backed in the lead-up to the McNeil Stakes, but he finished a disappointing sixth and he was sent to the spelling paddock after he failed to beat home a runner in the Listed Exford Plate (1400m) at Flemington on September 12.
Another trainer that could have multiple runners in the Manfred Stakes is Peter Moody, who has included three horses in the nominations for the Group 3 race.
Gold Symphony returned to the races with a flat fifth in the Inglis Dash (1100m) at Flemington on January 16 and he could be joined in the race by undefeated stablemates Anatola and Vostok.
One of the most interesting horses in the Manfred Stakes nominations is Palentino, who has recorded two race wins from three race starts.
The Teofilo colt claimed his maiden race win in impressive fashion at Stawell on October 12 and he stamped himself as a genuine Australian Guineas contender when he claimed another strong victory in the Listed Hilton Stakes (1400m) at Flemington on Emirates Stakes Day.
Melbourne-based horses are set to dominate the Manfred Stakes field, but Sydney-based gallopers Spill The Beans and Wolf Cry could both be sent to Melbourne for the $150,000 race.
Spill The Beans won a barrier trial in impressive fashion at Royal Randwick on January 29, while Wolf Cry took out the $250,000 Magic Millions Maiden (1200m) at the Gold Coast on January 9.
Bon Aurum, Lizard Island, Puritan, Sovereign Nation, Tivaci, Top Me Up and Well Sprung are other notable inclusions in the Manfred Stakes nominations.
