Everybody loves a home town hero and they don’t come much more popular than Great Western gun Kerryn Manning, who could again have Stawell trots fans in raptures this Sunday.
Manning’s name could be etched on the Gateway Security Stawell Pacing Cup for a fourth time this weekend with her talented six-year-old, Ideal Success, beautifully drawn for a rollicking romp.
“He is a nice horse and the Cup should suit him down to the ground,” the trainer-driver said.
In 2004 Manning drove The Good Guy to victory in the Cup for trainer and father, Peter Manning, and then was both trainer and driver when Henchman won in 2006. The father-daughter team then broke through again in 2015 when they won by a neck with $17-1 shot Narra Operative.
For Manning, winner of more than 3500 races as a driver and almost 800 as a trainer, any chance to step out at her local track is an occasion to be savoured.
“I just like to have a runner at Stawell and to have one in the cup is just that little bit extra special.”
And in Ideal Success she has a contender. The Kiwi joined her stable in February after 19 runs back home that yielded eight victories, all coming in his first nine races.
In Manning’s hands the American Ideal gelding has again found that winning form, producing five victories from his eight starts on Australian soil, including the Ararat and Ouyen pacing cups.
He returned from a spell at Tabcorp Park Melton on November 18 and, from a difficult second row draw, finished off well to run fourth amid a quality field.
“He probably needed the run a bit and never really got into the race, but his times were about as good as anybody,” Manning said. “He didn’t get beaten all that far and he has tightened up since then.”
The winner of that race was Young Modern from Emma Stewart’s all-conquering Smythes Creek stable and Ideal Success will not only have to turn the tables on him but also overcome Stewart’s other fancied runners Gumdrops and Metro Mike. Also looming are swooper Five Star Anvil and Im Corzin Terror, but Manning gives her hope every chance.
“He has drawn quite well and should be able to hold a forward post,” she said.
“Jiven Cullen is probably the early leader and is generally looking for a sit. I should be the first one there and should be a chance to lead depending on what they decide to do. From there (Ideal Success) should be right in it and a good chance.
“I’ve won it a couple of times and it would be nice to repeat that performance, and he’s the type that could win it.”
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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