Gai Waterhouse trained Wild And Proud has taken victory in the Group 2 Hobartville Stakes following a protest against race favourite Manawanui at Rosehill today.

Manawanuwi crossed the finish line half a head in front of Wild And Proud but the stewards deemed that on multiple occasions there was contact from Manawanui, causing Wild And Proud to become unbalanced.

The stewards were satisfied that Wild And Proud was going to the line stronger than Manawanui over the final 100 metres. They said that had the interference not occurred, Wild and Proud would have crossed the finish line in front.

It was the second consecutive victory for Wild And Proud who now has three wins from eight starts.

All the pre-race money came thick and fast for the Ron Leemon trained Manwanui but it was neck and neck down the final straight between the two top finishers.

As the pack charged towards the finish line, eventual third-placing Free Wheeling was also in the mix but it was Manawanui and Wild And Proud who kicked it up a gear pushing each other all the way.

Manawanui trainer Rob Leemon believes there is plenty of improvement left in his three-year-old, with the Randwick Guineas next on the agenda.

“He had to travel wide all way and battled hard,” he said.

“He’s done well coming here but there is still a lot of improvement in him.

“He’s got through today now we’ll go to the Randwick Guineas.”