Highly rated two-year-old Manolo Blahniq (NZ) (Jimmy Choux) lived up to his billing with a comfortable win in the Group 3 $70,000 Barneswood Farm Eclipse Stakes (1200m) at Ellerslie on New Year’s Day.
Manolo Blahniq, jumping from barrier two, was taken straight to the lead by jockey Matt Cameron and the pair never looked in doubt. Upon straightening up, Manolo Blahniq kicked away to win easily by three-and-a-half lengths to Showmeyamoneyhoney (NZ) (Showcasing) in second, with one-and-a-quarter length back to Glass Slipper (NZ) (Pins) third place.
“We’ll head straight to the Karaka Million now,” trainer Craig Thornton commented. “I’m really happy with him. He ate up everything and he’ll improve with the experience.”
Yesterday’s win takes Manolo Blahniq to the top of the Karaka Million Order of Entry, ahead of previous leader Tennessee (NZ) (Per Incanto) who finished fourth in the Group 3 Eclipse Stakes.
Manolo Blahniq was second in the Listed Murdoch Newell Strakes, finding trouble after missing the start and running on impressively to be beaten by a short neck. The Jimmy Choux colt will be among the favoured runners in the $1m Karaka Million at Ellerslie on January 24. Victorian trainer Tony Noonan purchased Manolo Blahniq at the 2015 Karaka Select Sale for $115,000 from Curraghmore Stud.
A win and second from two starts and earned more than $52,000 for owners Nearco Stud, J Racovalis, D Canny, C McHugh, D Dunphy, C Daly, B Houston, S Reilly, P Duggan, S Grant and A Cork
Bred by Nearco Stud, the son of 2010-11 New Zealand Horse of the Year Jimmy Choux is out of stakes winner Floramour, winner of the Listed SAJC Manihi Classic. Manolo Blahniq is her second foal
