‘Menari the Ferrari’ belts them in Run To The Rose

Tom Walter - Saturday September 9

Menari's dominant victory in Saturday's Group II Run To The Rose (1200m) earned praise of the highest order from trainer Gerald Ryan and completed a Group II treble for jockey Josh Parr.

Advertisement
Menari races away with the Group II Run To The Rose. Photo: Steve Hart

Ryan, who has prepared a wealth of thoroughbred talent in his years of training, believes Menari could end up in the same company as his sire Snitzel.

"I thought I was lucky enough to have a horse like Snitzel who I thought was a very good horse," Ryan said.

"Probably the best horse I had since Snitzel was Snitzerland, then along came Rubick. Never saw the best of Rubick, but this horse in the autumn, what he showed us before he raced I thought 'this is a fair dinkum, genuine horse'.

"The way he worked last Friday morning, I reckon there's only been two other horses I've clocked sectionals as quick as him and that's been Chautauqua and All Too Hard when they were flying. He burnt the track last Friday."

Standing at 16.3 hands and weighing 570kg race-fit, Menari's raw power was in full throttle when he burst to the front at the 200m mark of the Run To The Rose, leaving Peter and Paul Snowden's colt Pariah in his wake.

Caller Darren Flindell appropriately named Ryan's colt 'Menari the Ferrari' at the post as Pariah crossed the line 1-1/2 lengths behind in second. The Paul Perry-trained Perast ($101) was beaten the same margin back in third.

Parr, who had won on stablemate Deploy and the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Gold Standard earlier in the day, completed a clean sweep of the meeting's three Group II events.

Whilst he said the treble didn't quite compare to winning a Group I, the in-form rider said it was the next best thing.

"Group Is are obviously the pinnacle and extra special but three Group IIs in a day is pretty good too," Parr said.

"I drove here with my Dad and I said, I can ride three winners today and I've only got three rides. My Dad is a very quietly spoken man. He replied with, 'let's hope so', and sure enough I did it.

"I've known for some time now how good this horse is but you've got to keep a lid on things because you know what horse racing is like, anything can happen, but it's an absolute delight to sit on his back that's for sure."

Menari has tightened his grip on favouritism for the Group I Golden Rose (1400m) back at Rosehill in a fortnight, firming from $5 into $2.40 with Sportsbet.

Advertisment
More Reading...
So You Think Filly Shows Oaks Potential
The Bjorn Baker stable has been on fire this year and it’s full steam ahead to Queensland for talented So You Think filly Dame Commander, who beat older rivals at Warwick Farm on Wednesday.
Inglis Chairman’s Sale-Toppers – Where Are They Now?
A star studded renewal of the Inglis Chairman’s Sale will light up Riverside Stables this evening from 5pm with glamour girls Bella Nipotina and Amelia’s Jewel vying for top honours, so we’re taking a quick look back to check in on some of the stars from the past.
MyRacehorse Swoop on Circus Maximus 2YO
Promising juvenile Engine Of War has joined the growing Australasian stable of international micro-share syndicator MyRacehorse.
First Foal for Menari
One of the very best colts competing in the Sydney spring of 2017 when winning the Group II ATC Run to the Rose and finishing third in the Group I ATC Golden Rose, brilliant Snitzel son Menari has his first foals arriving this spring for Newgate Farm.
Japanese Bred Filly Wins At Eagle Farm
Could trainer Kris Lees have the Group 1 Queensland Oaks (2200m) on his mind after his three-year-old, northern hemisphere bred filly Eclair Encore (Jpn) recorded a strong victory over 1800m at Eagle Farm.
Menari to Stand at Newgate Farm This Spring
Newgate Farm is delighted to announce an exciting late addition to the 2018 stallion roster with freakishly talented Snitzel sprinter Menari joining the team.
Six Length Winner for Menari
Standing at Corumbene Stud this spring, Menari featured on Wednesday with an impressive six length winner trained by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott.
Pedigree Watch – Euro 3YO Chester Classic Trials
Godolphin have been dominating the Northern Hemisphere classics in spectacular fashion on both sides of the Atlantic, but Coolmore had their turn at Chester overnight producing a homebred colt from a family with an Aussie offshoot and a sale-topping filly with Derby and Oaks aspirations.
Sires With Winners - Wednesday May 7
Here is the full list of 44 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Queensland Calling for Exciting Wootton Bassett Colt
Champion trainer Chris Waller is renowned for producing talented back season juveniles that blossom into stakes performers and we saw one at Warwick Farm on Wednesday when heavily backed Wootton Bassett (GB) colt Regulated Affair opened his account.