First metro win for Manhattan Strip

Sunday, 17 December 2023 | Manhattan Strip scored his first metropolitan win at Ascot on Saturday under a perfect ride by visiting jockey Craig Williams in the Bisley Workwear Hcp (1500m).

Put straight into the one-out and one-back position by Williams, he levelled up to the leaders at the 200m mark and then pulled away over the concluding stages to defeat Flower In The Wind (Sebring) and San Fabrizio (Siyouni) by a length.

“He’s had zero luck lately and was due today,” co-trainer Dan Pearce claimed.  “Craig got on the back of Ollie and it panned out exactly like he said it would.  He rides Acromantula for us in Melbourne and we were more than happy to put him on today.

“We have an opinion of Manhattan Strip and stretched him out in the 3yo feature races at Belmont during the winter.  He’s a progressive type and will work his way through the grades.”

Williams watched the replays and did his homework from the right draw on Saturday.  “When I went past San Fabrizio, Ollie said, ‘Keep going because I’m going to get you’.  He’s keeping us honest and it’s great to be a part of his farewell.

“Riding in the Damien Oliver era has made me the best jockey I could possibly be.”

Manhattan Strip (Photo / Western Racepix) is a son of Geisel Park stallion Manhattan Rain and was scoring for the first time in town following wins at Northam and Pinjarra in April.

He was bred and sold by Lynward Park for $100,000 at the 2021 Perth Magic Millions Yearling Sale and has repaid that price-tag with Saturday’s winning purse sending his returns into six figures.

Lynward Park bought into the family when purchasing his second-dam Windana (Danehill) from Collingrove Stud for $72,500 at the 2005 Magic Millions National Sale.  She was sold carrying Simplyirresistible (Royal Academy) and she has continued the line foaling four winners including Manhattan Strip.

Windana’s final foal Fear The Wind is a 6yo gelding by Fiorente (Ire) who was last seen winning the $100,000 Rogan Josh Hcp (2200m) at Belmont in June.

Geisel Park also bred Count The Sessions who picked the big occasion for a change of luck in the Schweppes Hcp (1400m) on Saturday.  He was coming off two close seconds at Ascot for trainer Holly Taylor and regular jockey Clint Johnston-Porter.

Count The Sessions (Sessions) is the first foal from The Count’s Muse (Viscount) who is an unraced half-sister to Perth Group 2 winner Famous Roman (Danetime).  Another half-sister Renegade Girl (War Chant) is the dam of last week’s impressive Ascot 2yo winner Define Beautiful (Ducimus).

The Count’s Muse has a 3yo All American filly All Counts that was retained by Geisel Park and a Maschino 2yo colt with trainer Michael Lane.  Her yearling is another filly by All American.

Geisel Park has 11 yearlings nominated for the Perth Magic Millions Sale in February and, like most vendors, there’s a Playing God in the consignment being prepped by manger Conor Dunlop at Myalup.

Their Playing God – Promiscuous Miss colt (Lot 311) carries the renowned cross with Oratorio (Aus) and the dam is a full-sister to G2 Karrakatta Plate (1200m) winner Motion Pictures.