Sarten for Mana Nui after sale quashed

[Wandering Eyes]

Group 2 Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m) winner Mana Nui. Photo Credit: Race Images – Peter Rubery

The potential sale of promising three-year-colt Mana Nui has been put on hold for the time being with the dashing son of No Nay Never now set to contest the Group 2 James and Annie Sarten Memorial Stakes (1400m) at Te Rapa on October 25.

The Chad Ormsby-trained Group 2 Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m) winner had been under offer to clients of the Michael and Richard Freedman stable in Australia, but an issue with shin soreness that cropped up during the vetting process early last week saw the offer withdrawn.

Owner and breeder Tony Rider, who was set to retain a share in the colt if the sale had gone ahead, will now concentrate on getting Mana Nui to Australia for future spring targets under his own steam.

“We had him sold subject to his x-rays, however a complication cropped up as he was a touch shin sore when he was going through the process,” Ryder said.

“His x-rays were passable, but as he had jarred up after his Hastings win, it showed up and that saw the offer withdrawn on him.

“When we were informed of the development, I had a good chat with Chad and we decided to put him aside for a spell.

“When he got back to Chad’s stable on Friday he looked as good as gold, so he gave him a run along and he was fine.

“We’ve sent him out to Lyndhurst Farm to spend a few days on the water walker and then he will go to the Sarten Memorial at Te Rapa on the Monday of Labour weekend.”

Rider has not ruled out the colt being sold at a later date, but for now he is focusing on putting together a potential Australian campaign if the colt performs up to expectations at Te Rapa.

“As long as he is a happy horse and does what we think he can do at Te Rapa, then I would love to get him over to Australia,” he said.

“He does hold a nomination for the (New Zealand) 2000 Guineas (Group 1, 1600m) at Riccarton, but I’m more interested in him going to Australia and trying to enhance his future stallion potential with some Australian black-type.

“He is a magnificent individual from a very strong and versatile family, so I think if he could get an Australian Group One then he would definitely have appeal at stud.

“We’re pretty keen to see if we can get him to that level on our own, but the for-sale sign is still out there if the right offer comes along.

“There is a lot of water to go under the bridge before that as he is still a very green and inexperienced horse who has only had the three starts, but I think the potential is definitely there.”

Rider also harbours future Australian prospects for impressive Savabeel three-year-old filly The Perfect Pink, who he races in partnership with a group that includes her co-breeders, the Dennis brothers.

The daughter of three-time stakes winning and Group One placed mare The Solitaire, The Perfect Pink caught the eye when she broke her maiden status at Cambridge last month after finishing fourth to Mana Nui at Te Rapa on debut.

Rider and trainer Jamie Richards have a good opinion of the filly with Rider believing she could be an Oaks prospect later on in the season.

“Jamie rates her and she was very impressive winning at Cambridge,” Rider said.

“We’ve got her nominated for the (New Zealand) 1000 Guineas (Group 1, 1600m) at Riccarton, but I would like to see her possibly go to Australia instead.

“I think the plan is to tackle the Soliloquy Stakes (Group 3, 1400m) at Matamata next and we will make a decision with her after that.

“Her pedigree suggests she will get over ground so there would be some lovely targets for her in Australia if we did decide to go there with her.”

The Perfect Pink is closely related to top stayer The Chosen One, whom Rider also has a share in.

View the full article