Manawanui will leave for Melbourne on Monday to prepare for what is shaping as a vintage Caulfield Guineas.
The Ron Leemon-trained Manawanui could not have been more impressive as he dominated from the front and coasted to the line to win the Group Two Stan Fox Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill on Saturday.
Despite the ease of the victory against an inferior field, Leemon said Manawanui would not be taking on the role of front runner in the Caulfield Guineas (1600m) on October 8.
“It’s only been circumstances that he has led up here,” Leemon said.
“He’ll be racing from behind in Melbourne.
“He will be fourth or fifth, he won’t be leading.”
Both Manawanui and fellow Guineas fancy Helmet scored impressive wins in the Stan Fox and Guineas Prelude respectively, underlining their claims.
Helmet remains on the second line of TAB Sportsbet markets for the Group One at $3.60 with Manawanui the $7 fourth pick.
Splitting those two is the Peter Moody-trained Moment Of Change ($5.50).
Smart Missile retained favouritism at $3.30 despite his unplaced run against the older horses in the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield.
Jockey Brett Prebble, a late replacement for the injured Glen Boss, was forced to settle the colt last from his wide draw after he missed the start.
He looked for inside runs in the straight but Smart Missile never threatened, although he hit the line nicely.
While both Helmet and Smart Missile are already in Melbourne, Manawanui will leave for the southern capital this week giving him around 10 days to settle in and get a feel of the Caulfield track
He will be stabled at the Guineas venue and Leemon will give him a handful of gallops to acquaint him with the circuit before race day.
“He will hopefully travel down on Monday morning,” Leemon said.
“He will go straight into the Guineas, he will probably have three or four good looks at the track.”
It will be Manawanui’s first time interstate and Leemon plans to make a couple of stop overs on the way to break up the trip.
He figures the hardest part will come at the beginning.
“He’s OK when you’re driving but he hates stopping in traffic,” Leemon said.
“We bring him here to the races with a pony and we’ll take a pony with us to Melbourne as well.”
Manawanui’s rider Glyn Schofield will make flying visits to Melbourne to accompany the gelding in his work.
AAP TURF
