Lightning fast filly by Manhattan Rain

Sunday, 30 July 2023 | Exciting filly La Danseuse Rouge overcame a wide barrier to land a first-up victory in the LR Lightning Stakes (1050m) at Morphettville on Saturday.

The 3yo daughter of Geisel Park stallion Manhattan Rain found cover under jockey Jake Noonan and was strong through the line to defeat Sweetened (Zoustar) in the final black-type race of the season for 2022-23. 

The Victorian visitor is trained by Cliff Brown at Mornington and becomes the 18th individual Stakes-winner by Manhattan Rain.  “It could have been a gut-buster out there but she had been set for this race and Jake was fantastic,” Brown said.  “She galloped really well on Tuesday and we took the blinkers off today.”

La Danseuse Rouge had been Group 3-placed at Caulfield and Flemington earlier this season before an uncharacteristic failure in the LR  Sunlight Classic (1100m) at Flemington in March.  “Another horse went off in the gates next to her that day,” Brown recalled.  “She’s a lovely filly so I put her straight out for a good break.

“All credit to my assistant Tony Lane.  He suggested putting the barrier blanket on and he was 100 per cent correct.”

Noonan, who is also based at Mornington, took advantage of the early tempo to get across albeit four-wide.  “There was enough speed to set it up for something with a camp on them and fortunately I had a fantastic run from the gate,” he reported.  "I presented the right horse at the right time and she was too good."

La Danseuse Rouge is the first foal from Irish-bred mare Margaux (Exceed And Excel).  She hails from an Aga Khan family going back to 1989 European Champion 3YO Filly Behera (Mill Reef) who has 9 Group winners under her name.  Among them is former WA stallion Vital Equine (Danetime).

Margaux’s second foal is an unraced Manhattan Rain 2yo filly named Petit Manhattan.

Brown has no specific spring plans for La Danseuse Rouge, however, Manhattan Rain’s star sprinter Jigsaw and untapped talent Fame are being prepared for Group 1 campaigns in Melbourne.

Manhattan Rain (Encosta de Lago) stands for an $8,250 service fee at Geisel Park with All American ($4,400) and newcomer Aysar ($8,800).  All fees (inc GST).