Ken Casellas | Photo: PACEPIX
A full moon was shining on a cold evening at Gloucester Park on Friday when veteran breeder, owner and trainer Kevin Charles experienced the ups and downs of harness racing with his smart four-year-old Manhattan Moon scoring a splendid victory in the $21,000 Perth’s No. 1 Brekky Show On Nova 93.7 Pace over 1730m.
Manhattan Moon is by American stallion Control The Moment and is the second foal out of American Ideal mare Moon Ovr Manhattan.
Two days before Friday night’s win Charles had the misfortune of losing a foal. “Unfortunately, Moon Ovr Manhattan was in foal to Foreclosure, and she slipped the foal,” said Charles.
The 75-year-old Charles purchased Moon Ovr Manhattan as a brood mare from prominent Victorian breeders Bill and Anne Anderson after that pacer had raced 23 times for eight wins, seven placings and $32,710, and Manhattan Moon now boasts a fine record of 31 starts for seven wins, five placings and $81,558.
Manhattan Moon was a $11.10 chance from the outside barrier (No. 8) on the front line, and Charles’s 42-year-old son Hayden drove a patient race to win by a neck from $3.50 chance Atlantic Gem, who had taken the lead 110m from home.
Manhattan Moon followed the three-wide run of Atlantic Gem, who was eased out by Liam Elliott from the one-out, one-back position 500m from home. The final quarters were run in 28.3sec. and 28.6sec. and Manhattan Moon rated 1.54.5.