Manuel Too Strong in Kilmore Cup

Mark Smith - Sunday November 25

Runner-up at Flemington at his past two starts, the Tony McEvoy-trained Manuel repaid the faith of punters with a hard-fought win in Sunday's $150,000 Listed Kilmore Cup (1600m).

From an outside barrier, Luke Currie gave the favourite a positive ride but was made to do some work before tacking up the front-running role.

The 5yo son of Commands toughed it out valiantly in the straight to defeat the Chris Waller-trained Torgersen (Pins) by one and a quarter lengths with Fastnet Tempest (Fastnet Rock) a neck back in third.


Stable representative Michael Shepherdson believes a gelding operation has been the making of Manuel.

"His form has been really consistent since being gelded, he's always threatened to win a nice race and today he has done it," Shepherdson said.

"It wasn't easy for him, he had to work hard for the first half of the race.

"There are some nice races for him in the autumn, he probably really needs to have a rest but he is in such good form I'm not sure what Tony (McEvoy) has in mind for him.


A half-brother to Group III GCTC Ken Russell Memorial Classic winner Taking Aim (Choisir) and the Group III-placed Witherspoon (Exceed And Excel), Manuel advances his record to 7 wins, 5 seconds and 2 thirds from 21 starts with earnings of $446,050.

A $240,000 purchase by his trainer out of the Segenhoe Stud draft at the 2015 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale, Manual (pictured as a yearling) is the first foal of the stakes-winning Hussonet (USA) mare Girl Hussler who had an Exceed And Excel colt that was knocked down to George Moore Bloodstock for $800,000 at this year's Easter Yearling Sale.

Girl Hussler obviously throws very attractive foals as her four yearlings sold have averaged $515,000. With three stakes horses from her first three foals there is plenty to look forward to with a yearling Fastnet Rock filly and a Snitzel colt foal to come.

From the penultimate crop of Commands, Manuel becomes the 78th stakes winner for the deceased son of Danehill.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Empire Rose Goal for Melody Belle
Reigning New Zealand Horse of the Year Melody Belle will head across the Tasman in the coming weeks after becoming the first horse to win the Hawke’s Bay Triple Crown at Hastings on Saturday.
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.
Best On Breeding
The cerise, white crossed sashes and black cap of Bob Peters, Peter's Investments, may not be the once dominant force they have been for decades in Western Australian racing, but they are far from finished.
NZ Horse of the Year Melody Belle Makes History
Megastar Melody Belle earned two slices of New Zealand racing history on Saturday with another commanding performance in the Group I Livamol Classic (2040m) at Hastings.
$1.3million Snitzel Colt Ready to Fire on Debut for Te Akau
Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson are confident they have the young firepower to make an early impression in the first of the black type features at Pukekohe Park on Saturday.
Luberon Heads Cambridge Stud Saturday Charge
Lance Noble will attempt to add to a strong run of spring form for Cambridge Stud when he sends out five well-credentialled runners in Brendan and Jo Lindsay’s black and gold colours at Pukekohe on Saturday.
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.
Pinhook Winners 2024 NZB Ready to Run – Churchill Colt the Star
A record breaking NZB Ready to Run Sale this week at Karaka delivered plenty of pinhook success with 18 two year-olds selling for $300,000 or more above their yearling purchase price, so let’s take a look at some of the best of them.
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.
Magic Millions 2025 Magazine Online
The 2025 Magic Millions magazine is now online with a great mix of gallery images, editorial and vendor profilies.