The Peter Moody stable has suffered another major setback for the Spring with top weight for age performer Manighar being sidelined with a knee injury.
Manighar has been sidelined for the spring with a knee injury. Photo by: Steve Hart
With Moody’s stable star Black Caviar being ruled out early in the Spring after suffering minor muscle soreness after her dramatic win in the Group 1 £500,000 The Diamond Jubilee Stakes (6 furlongs) at Royal Ascot on June 23, the Caulfield trainer’s stocks were also depleted when Sir Rupert Clarke winner Moment Of Change was forced to the spelling paddock with a leg injury.
Moody had to turn his attentions to the Autumn with Moment Of Change who rose to Group 1 winning status with a last start win in the $400,000 Clamms Seafood Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on September 30.
The leading trainer had always held a high opinion of the Barely A Moment geldings and his potential was realised with an empathic win at Caulfield coming from the outside barrier.
Manighar’s early Spring exit has left Moody without a runner in the Group 1 $3m Sportingbet Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley on October 27 for which he was a $10 chance in early markets.
The grey import was to have his final Cox Plate lead-up in the Group 1 $400,000 Cathay Pacific Caulfield Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield on October 13 which will now see Kiwi Group 1 winner Ocean Park start a very short priced favourite.
Moody notified Racing Victoria Stewards that Manighar would need minor knee surgery and would be out for the remainder of the Melbourne Spring Carnival.
“We just have to keep our fingers crossed we get him back. He has never been unsound before and isn’t a heavy horse, so hopefully he will race next year,” said Manighar’s part-owner Simon O’Donnell.
“Racing has never been a game for the faint-hearted and never will be. You just have to roll with it.”
Victoria’s leading trainer was able to transform the dour stayer into the top weight for age performer after taking over the preparation of the then six year old from talented European trainer Luca Cumani after last year’s Spring Carnival.
Moody produced the imported German galloper to be the star of the Melbourne and Sydney Autumn Carnivals with Group 1 wins in the $1m Dubai Australian Cup (2000m) at Flemington on March 10, the $400,000 Ranvet Stakes (2000m) on March 24 and the $2.25m The BMW (2400m) on April 7, both at Rosehill.
Manighar finished his Sydney campaign with a second to More Joyous in the Group 1 $500,000 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) at Randwick on April 28 before heading to Brisbane for the Winter Carnival picking up a third to Mawingo in the Group 1 $500,000 Kirks Doomben Cup (2000m) at Doomben on May 19.
Moody is still well represented in the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups with imports Voila Ici and Sneak A Peek as well as Lights Of Heaven still in the Group 1 $2.5m BMW Caulfield Cup (2400m) at Caulfield on October 20.
While along with Voila Ici and Lights Of Heaven, Moody also has Guns At Five and Vatuvei alive in the Group 1 $6m Emirates Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington on November 6.
Sydney trained six year old Lamasery has also succumbed to injury and has been withdrawn from all his Spring engagements.
The David Vandyke trained gelding produced a tough win over Mourayan in the Group 2 $200,000 Bacardi Hill Stakes (2000m) at Randwick on September 22 before running an honest race to finish fifth behind runaway winner Glencadam Gold in the Group 1 $400,000 McGrath Estate Agents Metropolitan (2400m) at Randwick on October 6.
