Ken Casellas | Photo: PACEPIX
Inexperienced New Zealand-bred filly Manuka Bay was so impressive in winning the 2130m Beau Rivage Pace for three-year-olds at Gloucester Park on Friday night that her driver Deni Roberts predicted she would be an ideal candidate for the $150,000 WA Oaks on October 2.
“She is a very strong filly, not particularly tall but she is a bit of a tank,” said Roberts. “I think that the 2536m Oaks will suit her down to the ground.”
Roberts was particularly pleased in the way Manuka Bay beat the well credentialled New Zealand-bred gelding Lincoln Lover, who dead-heated for second with the WA-bred filly A Precious Gem.
“I know that we got away with a slow time early (a 39.8sec. lead time followed by opening quarters of 32.7sec. and 31sec.) but she could have gone a lot quicker. And she is also really quick at the start.”
Manuka Bay, trained by Greg and Skye Bond, was the $2 favourite from barrier two, and she had no difficulty in jumping straight to the front and dictating terms at her first appearance for two months.
Lincoln Lover, a vastly more experienced pacer having his 21ST start, battled on gamely after racing in the breeze, while A Precious Gem, a winner on debut at Pinjarra early on the previous week, did well to run on gamely.
Manuka Bay is by Downbytheseaside and is the third foal out of New Zealand mare Miss Big, who raced 21 times for four wins, three placings and $26,100.
Manuka Bay completed a training double for the Bond stable, following the success of Thelittle Master in the 2130m Book Into Steelo’s Pace.
Thelittle Master, driven by Kyle Symington, was a $4.20 chance who appreciated the No. 1 barrier when he set the pace and was untroubled to win by more than two lengths from $5.50 chance Saifa, who trailed the pacemaker all the way.
Thelittle Master, unplaced at his previous eleven starts and going into the race with a losing sequence of 14, has been a good moneyspinner, having earned $206,176 from 12 wins and 20 placings from 72 starts.