Manawanui pleased his trainer Ron Leemon in a barrier trial on Tuesday although the outing was little more than an extended workout for the Group One winner.
In an 800m heat on the Warwick Farm course proper, Manawanui wasn’t asked to keep up with the speed generated by the likes of eventual winner, Group One performer Montana Flyer.
The winner of the Golden Rose and runner-up to Helmet in the Caulfield Guineas, Manawanui is being readied for a campaign aimed at the Randwick Guineas with the George Ryder Stakes and Doncaster also on the agenda.
He was among 197 nominations released on Tuesday for this year’s $2 million Doncaster to be run at Randwick in April.
“I was quite happy with the trial,” Leemon told Sky Sports Radio.
“All he was doing was having his first gallop today.
“It was nothing serious. He was just going around for a fitness test.
“He’s still very fat and he blew a gale.”
The trainer originally planned to wait until next week to give Manawanui a trial but those trials were cancelled and he lined up on Tuesday.
“It was a hot trial,” Leemon said. “There were a lot of speed horses in it.
“His major trial will be on the seventh of February.
“I’m on a bit of a rushed program with him but I’m hoping he’ll be ready for the 18th.”
February 18 is the date of the Royal Sovereign Stakes, the proposed starting point for Manawanui.
The other open trial on Tuesday’s program was over 1200 metres and was won by Skateboard.
The Guy Walter-trained gelding was ordered back to the trials after he put on a buckjumping display at Warwick Farm last Saturday week.
Walter’s apprentice Ben Vassallo suffered a broken ankle when he was tossed off Skateboard that day.
Starting from the outside barrier as demanded by stewards, Skateboard behaved perfectly for senior jockey Rod Quinn and passed his test with flying colours.
AAP TURF
