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.

Advertisement

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 – Curragh
He’s a Coolmore homebred blueblood, but sired by Darley’s champion stallion Dubawi and Officer opened his stakes account overnight at The Curragh winning the Listed Tetrarch Stakes (1m).
$650,000 Stay Inside Filly Sets New Record at Inglis Weanling Sale
A new record price for the Australian Weanling Sale was set at Riverside today when a Stay Inside x Sheidel filly offered by Noorilim Park sold for $650,000.
One to Watch – Kembla
Group I ATC Champagne Stakes winner Nepotism is not the only talented two year-old winner by Brutal this season that was bred and sold by Gilgai Farm.
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.
Hunter Valley Host Latest Round of Thoroughbred Sport Horse Jumping
The latest round of Thoroughbred Sport Horse Association classes were run at the Hunter Valley Spring Jumping Championships last weekend with Darley’s late champion sire Commands not only siring a Group I winner at Flemington on Derby Day, but also a winner over the jumps at this event.
100th National Yearling Sale to Debut New Format
Karaka 2026 will mark the 100th anniversary of the National Yearling Sales in New Zealand, a significant milestone to celebrate.
French Derby Contender for Godolphin
The Godolphin winning run continued in France overnight with a French Derby contender emerging in the shape of progressive Lope de Vega colt Cualificar, who is out of Fastnet Rock’s Group I Epsom Oaks winner Qualify.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday May 6
Here is the full list of 30 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
First Season Highlights – These Guys Made an Impression
The Inglis Australian Weanling Sale gave buyers the opportunity to have a first look at the progeny of a new crop of  first season sires and the big banger of the group duly produced the highest priced baby from this cohort of sires.