The 2015 Chester Manifold Stakes field has been released and Dances On Stars is set to carry the top-weight of 59 kilograms.
Dances On Stars has been included in the 2016 Chester Manifold Stakes acceptances. Photo by: Steve Hart
Dances In Stars did not perform at his best during his 2015 Brisbane Winter Racing Carnival campaign and he returned to the races with a flat effort in the Listed Razor Sharp Handicap (1200m) at Royal Randwick on December 12 before he produced a much improved performance to finish second behind Cradle Me in the Listed Canterbury Classic (1200m) at Royal Randwick on Boxing Day.
Another horse that will go into the Chester Manifold Stakes second-up is Peter Moody-trained Noela’s Choice.
Noela’s Choice returned to the races with a close fifth behind Durendal in the Group 3 Standish Handicap (1200m) at Flemington on January 1 and that race is set to be a key form reference for the Chester Manifold Stakes.
Zupacharged finished second in the same race and is also set to contest the Chester Manifold Stakes, while Tried And Tired and Sarajevo will also run in the Listed event this weekend.
One of the most interesting horses in the 2016 Chester Manifold Stakes field is Kareeming, who is set to start his autumn campaign in the $120,000 event.
Kareeming raced from March to October without a proper stint in the spelling paddock and he almost claimed a maiden win at black-type level in the Listed Cranbourne Cup (2025m) on October 11, but he was sent to the spelling paddock after he beat home just a single runner in the Group 3 Bendigo Cup (2400m) on October 28.
Tudor has not recorded a race win since he took out the Hill Plate (1200m) at Moonee Valley in September of 2014 and he has raced inconsistently during his summer campaign, but he finished a credible fourth behind Underestimation in the George Watson Handicap (1400m) at Flemington on New Year’s Day.
The Chester Manifold Stakes field is rounded out by Team Corstens-trained General Groove, who has performed fairly in his two race starts since returning to the races and finished within a couple of lengths of Tuscan Sling in the Listed Christmas Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on Boxing Day.
High profile winners Power Of Destiny (1990), Super Impose (1991), Fraar (1993), Oliver Twist (2000), Mr. Murphy (2004), Danzylum (2010 and 2011), British General (2013), Anlon (2014) and Red Excitement (2015).
