Former English stayer Manighar made up for the absence of Black Caviar at Flemington on Saturday when he gave the champion’s trainer Peter Moody and jockey Luke Nolen a big win in the Group One Australian Cup.
Manighar, trained by Luca Cumani when fifth to Dunaden in last year’s Melbourne Cup, stalked the leaders throughout the $1 million 2000m feature and prevailed in a thrilling finish.
The six-year-old lunged on the line to just beat Caulfield Cup winner Southern Speed with 2010 Melbourne Cup hero Americain a fast-closing third.
The win took Manighar’s record to eight wins and eight placings from 25 starts for prizemoney in excess of $1.8 million.
“He’s a terrific old horse,” Moody said.
“He’s just enjoyed the change of scene (in Australia).
“You could nearly tack a green and gold numberplate on him now.”
