Buyer interest in Sydney star Manawanui has waned, leaving trainer Ron Leemon free to concentrate on long-term 2012 plans for the three-year-old.
As Leemon prepares Manawanui for the second race of an abbreviated autumn campaign at Rosehill on Saturday, the Warwick Farm trainer said there had been no more approaches to sell since a $2 million offer was rejected soon after the gelding’s successful spring.
“They (potential buyers) haven’t been back which is good from my point of view,” Leemon said.
“You don’t really want any distractions like that while you’re trying to get through the next few races.
“Obviously they were trying to buy a good horse but our position has been the same all along.”
Leemon said he believed UAE Derby plans in Dubai were being made for Manawanui if the sale went ahead.
“The people who were trying to buy the horse had intentions of setting him for the same race as Helmet is going over for,” Leemon said.
“There was a nibble for us to take him to Dubai but there are no overseas plans for him for this year.
“But next year is a long way off and this year is all about having the horse right for the Cox Plate.”
Manawanui will be reunited with jockey Glyn Schofield in the $200,000 Hobartville Stakes at Rosehill on Saturday.
The Group Two race will mark a return to scene of Manawanui’s greatest triumph – last year’s Group One Golden Rose.
Manawanui is undefeated at Rosehill and Leemon is confident he can stretch that sequence.
With Tommy Berry deputising for Schofield, Manawanui pleased Leemon with his first-up second to Hot Snitzel in the Royal Sovereign Stakes at Warwick Farm.
“He’s pulled up very well from the run and he’s done very well since,” Leemon said.
“He’s lost three to four kilos (since the Royal Sovereign) which I expected him to.”
Schofield will partner Manawanui in a Warwick Farm track gallop on Tuesday morning.
The Australian Turf Club received 17 entries for the Hobartville, including the first five home in the Royal Sovereign.
Darley duo Galah and Induna are entered to make their autumn returns.
AAP TURF
