After negotiating a private sale from the Melbourne owners of Manilla Court, it didn’t take long for Taree trainer Bart Dening to realise he had a handy mare on his hands.
On Sunday at Grafton, Manilla Court will be out to make it two from two for Dening in the Mr Hooker Bear Class 1 Hcp (1000m).
Dening saw the mare, who before entering his stable had 14 runs for three placings, catalogued in a Melbourne tried horse sale.
“I had a pretty good idea what the reserve was and managed to track the owners down, made them an offer which they accepted,” Dening said.
“I liked her pedigree.”
The five-year-old mare by New Zealand sire Court Of Jewels made an auspicious debut for Dening when winning a Port Macquarie 1012m maiden on January 6.
Manilla Court didn’t get under Dening’s or stable supporters’ guard, being backed from $7 in to $5 late and scoring by 2-3/4 lengths after leading throughout.
Dening knew the mare’s ability despite having her for just over a month before Port Macquarie.
“She’d worked with a few other horses of mine I’ve got an opinion of and held her own,” he said.
“After a couple of gallops I said `Gee, this goes all right’ and looked for a suitable maiden.
“She won pretty well at Port.”
Fitting blinkers to the mare also proved a masterstroke.
“I’d watched her Melbourne runs on the internet, she appeared to be a bit field shy,” Dening said.
“Even though she pulls a bit I put the blinkers on in her work. She improved lengths.”
Dening said Manilla Court was a big, gross type of mare, very solid.
“You can pretty much do anything with her,” he said.
“Previously they’d tried her over 1600 metres. I think she’s a 1000-metre horse.
“Maybe she’ll get 1200 when she gets a bit stronger but I’ll keep her to sprint trips, that’s her go. She’s got abundant speed.
“She’s done very well since winning last start, eating well and working in good style.
“My only concern is the track. I don’t want it too heavy. Her form in Melbourne suggests she doesn’t handle it.
AAP TURF