Hong Kong has been confirmed as the source of interest in Sydney star Manawanui.
But Ron Leemon, preparing to round off Manawanui’s Caulfield Guineas preparation at Rosehill on Saturday, said inquiries had slowed since the three-year-old’s Group One Golden Rose win.
“All (agent inquiries) have been basically from Hong Kong,” the trainer told Sky Sports Radio.
“I’ve had one offer after the Golden Rose and they asked me to put a price on him and I said `no, at this stage’.
“… there’s been no more offers.”
Manawanui confirmed his rating as a horse on the move with his Golden Rose win over Smart Missile and Helmet.
The exciting galloper was the subject of a $1 million offer 24 hours before his victory.
It was Leemon’s biggest win, propelling the retired school teacher and the owners who paid $45,000 for the gelding into the national racing spotlight.
In bad news for Manawanui’s rivals in Saturday’s $250,000 Stan Fox Stakes (1500m), Leemon said his charge had trained on strongly since the Golden Rose.
“(Jockey) Glyn (Schofield) hopped off him this morning and said there was definite improvement,” he said.
The Australian Turf Club received nine entries for the Stan Fox but Victorian trainer David Hayes is expected to travel only one horse north from the two he has nominated.
Brisbane trainer Brian Smith will give recent Eagle Farm and Doomben winner State Of Wealth his class test in the Stan Fox while other entries include Cocky Raider, Irish Times and Isopach.
Manawanui, who will be sent to Melbourne 48 hours after the Stan Fox, is a $6.50 Caulfield Guineas chance.
Smart Missile, already domiciled at trainer Anthony Cummings’ Caulfield stables, is the $3.30 favourite.
Schofield, meanwhile, has been booked for a rare Patinack Farm ride on Saturday.
The South African-born jockey has the mount on Galizani, a stakeswinning mare who trainer John Thompson says is ready to peak in the Colin Stephen Handicap.
AAP TURF
