Manhattan Rain's Runaway Claims Geelong Cup

Mark Smith - Wednesday October 24

Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott turned back the international challenge in Wednesday's $350,000 Group III Bet365 Geelong Cup (2400m) as the front-running Runaway held the challenge of his stablemate Northwest Passage.

Carrying the colours of Anthony Mithen's Rosemont Stud, Runaway won the Listed VRC St Leger back in April before finishing third in the Group 1 S.A. Derby. Taking up his favoured front-running role under Stephen Baster, the son of Manhattan Rain fought bravely down the straight to defeat the 5yo So You Think gelding Northwest Passage by three-quarters of a length with Juddmonte Farms Frankel entire Finche (GB) the same distance back in third.

Runaway advances his record to 4 wins, 3 seconds and 3 thirds from 17 starts with earnings of $520,285.


"I've ridden this horse a fair bit and the owners have been great to me, it's their hometown cup so it's a dream come true for everybody," Baster said.

"He showed he was a good horse in the St Leger, I thought he was a good chance as long as he was not annoyed too much in front. He's only third up so it was an amazing training effort."

Connections will be hoping the handicapper was impressed enough by the effort to give him Runaway a penalty in the Melbourne Cup as he is well down in the order of entries.

Purchased by Gai Waterhouse Racing / J Blaxland for $150,000 out of the Rosemont Stud draft the 2016 Australian Easter Yearling Sale, Runaway is a half-brother to the 2011 Group 1 AJC Australian Oaks winner Absolutely and the 2016 Group 1 SAJC Schweppes Oaks winner Abbey Marie.

He is the seventh winner from as many foals out of the Catrail mare Catshaan who Rosemont Stud purchased for $160,000 at the Teeeley Assets dispersal in 2014 when she was carrying the St Leger winner.

Her 3yo Redoute's Choice colt named Zaahed was purchased by Shadwell Stud Australasia for $550,000 at the 2017 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale and was exported to South Africa.

A half-sister to the Champion Sprinter/Miler in Japan in 2010, Kinshasa No Kiseki, Catshaan has a 2yo filly by Zoustar and a yearling filly by Fastnet Rock.

She missed to Redoute's Choice last spring.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Ka Ying Rising connection draws Hayes team to Shamexpress at Karaka
With one of the world’s most exciting sprinters flying the flag for David Hayes in Hong Kong, it has been no surprise to see the trainer’s sons zeroing in on progeny of Windsor Park Stud stallion Shamexpress during the Ready to Run Sale at Karaka this week.
Arkansaw Kid Brother Sells for $520,000
A well-related son of Harry Angel provided a late highlight in the final hour of the 2024 NZB Ready to Run Sale at Karaka on Thursday when he was knocked down to a $520,000 bid from bloodstock agent Morgan Carter.
Blockbuster Sale as NZB Ready to Run Records Tumble
Expectations were exceeded at Karaka with tremendous results witnessed across two days of selling at NZB’S 2024 Ready to Run Sale, confirming the demand for proven racetrack results and quality New Zealand-prepared horses.
Churchill Colt Pulls Off Stunning Pinhooking Result at NZB Ready To Run
Chad Ormsby has enjoyed plenty of racetrack success this year with pinhooks that he has been unable to sell at the Ready to Run Sale, but the multi-talented horseman had a very different outcome with the standout member of his 2024 Riverrock Farm draft at Karaka on Thursday.
Spring Plans for Runaway
As a three-quarter brother to a pair of Oaks winners, it’s no surprise the Group I ATC Spring Champion Stakes is on the agenda for promising three year-old Runaway, who broke the ice with his first win at Canterbury on Wednesday.
Man on a Mission
Blue Gum Farm has stood Golden Slipper producing sire Manhattan Rain for the past three seasons and Phillip Campbell is on a mission is to resurrect the stallion’s name ahead of the 2020 yearling sales which will see his first Victorian bred offspring enter the sale ring.
Million-dollar Hour for Leung at NZB Ready To Run
Hong Kong bloodstock agent Willie Leung had a big hour at Karaka early on Thursday afternoon, spending more than $1 million to secure two well-credentialled colts at the NZB Ready to Run Sale.
One to Watch – Hawkesbury
Castelvecchio has gone from nowhere to somewhere during the course of this spring with three stakes-winners putting his name in lights and he had a promising three year-old colt salute at Hawkesbury on Thursday that has now won two of three starts.
Sires With Winners - Thursday November 21
Here is the full list of 32 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
City of Troy Crowned 2024 Cartier European Horse of the Year
Outstanding Justify colt City of Troy was crowned Horse of the Year at the 2024 Cartier awards on Wednesday night in London at a star studded ceremony at the Dorchester Hotel.