For as long as she can remember Kristen Manning has been fascinated by thoroughbred pedigrees and a reward for years of extensive study and research came this week in the shape of two wins and a placegetter in the space of two days.
As breeder and managing owner
of exciting mare Quilate, Manning was delighted with the four-year-old's fast
finishing 1 1/4 length victory at Sandown on Wednesday.
It was a second metropolitan victory for the Michael Kent trained bay who has black type aspirations having been beaten only 1.95 lengths in her previous start in the Gr.3 Frances Tressady Stakes at Flemington.
"I am delighted for Quilate who is now putting it altogether having always shown a lot of promise," Manning said, adding that "and I am also thrilled for my fellow owners who showed so much faith in me agreeing to race a horse by an unraced stallion out of an unraced mare!"
"I actually didn't even think about that at the time I bred Quilate, I was so focused on the strengths of the pedigree match but I admit that breeding a city winner with this background is extremely satisfying."
Giving Manning an even bigger thrill was the fact that she is also co-breeder with a group of friends of Ajuda who followed up a recent Sandown victory with a third to Quilate.
"It was incredible just to have two home-breds in the same city race, but to have them both run so well was amazing!"
And the excitement continued
the following day when another promising mare in the shape of Lola de Oro raced
away to an impressive victory at Wangaratta, her third success for the Merilyn
Anderson stable.
Raced on lease by a large and happy group including Manning's Racing Australia syndicates, the talented chestnut was bred by her clients and friends Rod Oaten and Brian Whitton in Queensland.
"She is another who has always had plenty of talent but she has had her issues and Merilyn has done a great job figuring her out and getting her to show her best."
Whilst Quilate and Ajuda are the results of carefully planned Kristen Manning matings, Lola de Oro also boasts a well balanced pedigree - "she has lovely line-breeding," Manning said, "which is what first drew me to her even before she was born!"
A firm believer that breeders do not have to spend huge amounts of money to enjoy racetrack success, Manning is at her happiest working for owner/breeders, helping them get the best out of their mares.
Whilst she is on cloud nine Manning is offering a special discount on mating plans for those who get in contact by the end of this week - give her a call on 0428 563 917 or email kriman@optushome.com.au
