The second most expensive yearling by her sire Grunt, Manolo Bling made the perfect start to her career in Saturday’s Sportsbet Jockey Watch Hcp (1100m) for 2-year-old fillies at Caulfield.
Ridden by Ethan Brown for Anthony and Sam Freedman, Manolo Bling travelled sweetly three wide and, when asked for an effort, strode clear to defeat the honest Husk (Calyx) by one and a quarter lengths with Berezka (Xtravagant) a length back in third.
Manolo Bling was a $340,000 buy for Matt Laurie Racing/Justin Bahen from the Yulong draft at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
“She is a really nice filly and has done everything right this preparation. She is a progressive horse and has earned a shot at the spring,” stable representative Stephanie Hateley said.
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It could well be an exciting spring for the family as Manolo Bling is the first foal of the winning Snitel mare Evening Slippers, a sister to the Group 1 TC Galaxy Hcp winner Sweet Idea and the dual Group II winner Showtime, and a half to Rush, a stakes winner in Singapore.
Sweet Idea is the dam of the exciting, undefeated Dubawi mare Clear Thinking (GB).
A $1,800,000 yearling, Evening Slipper was a $550,000 purchase for Yulong from the Arrowfield draft at the 2020 National Broodmare Sale.
Evening Slippers has a yearling filly and weanling colt by Written Tycoon. She was covered by Grunt last spring.
The Group 1 VRC Australian Guineas and Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes winner Grunt is enjoying a successful season, with his standout performer Veight winning the Group 1 ATC George Ryder Stakes and Miraval Rose winning the Listed Twilight Glow Stakes.
The son of O’Reilly stands at Yulong in 2024 for $22,000.
