Manicure Adds to Godolphin's Magic Million Assault

Mark Smith - Saturday December 29

After Tally earned a wildcard for Godolphin into the Magic Millions Trophy when he won the Shoot Out Quality earlier in the day at Doomben, Manicure doubled up for the racing and breeding powerhouse when she won the Listed Nudgee Stakes.

Ridden by Larry Cassidy, the 4yo daughter of Exceed And Excel defeated her better-fancied stablemate Demerara(Commands) by one and a half lengths with Warranty (All Too Hard) a half-length back in third. (photo Racing Queensland ).

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The lightly raced 4yo mare was making her first start since finishing third in the Group III James Carr Stakes at Randwick on April 21. Previous to that she defeated all bar the flying Houtzen in the Group III PJ Bell Stakes at Randwick.

Another first-time stakes-winner, Manicure advances her record to 3 wins, 1 second and 1 third from 7 starts with earnings of $226,125.

"To come off such a long spell and travel to Brisbane to win a Listed race is a huge effort by all the team. It's onwards and upwards to the Magic Millions Fillies & Mares now." Godolphin Managing Director Vin Cox said.

Manicure is out of Lonhro's top-class daughter Trim, winner of the Group III STC Research Stakes and Listed VRC Red Roses Stakes.

Trim is a sister to Stubborn who is the dam of that mighty West Australian warrior Gatting the winner of the Group II WATC Lee Steere Stakes and Group II WATC West. Australian Derby and earner of $1.3 million.

After missing in 2014 and 2015, Trim had a colt foal by Teofilo last year. She slipped to Brazen Beau last spring.

Manicure becomes the 152nd stakes-winner for Darley Stud's flagship stallion Exceed And Excel who embarked on his annual foray to Kildangan Stud, Ireland on December 20.

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