While the filly stamped herself among the best of her generation in the autumn to win the Group 1 ATC Sires’ Produce Stakes, Michael Freedman knew it was her race return that would prove if she could go on with the job in the spring.
Many a top juvenile has failed to recapture their form at three, so Manaal’s close-up third behind Ameena in the Silver Shadow Stakes (1200m), conceding three kilos to the winner, was a crucial step in the right direction.
“If you ask any trainer that has had decent two-year-olds in the autumn, they can show you everything back at home, but you need to see it race day, that they’re definitely back for their three-year-old year,” Freedman said.
“I was as much relieved as I was very happy with how she went.”
Manaal looks ominously well placed in Saturday’s second leg of the four-race Princess Series, the Group 2 Furious Stakes (1200m) at Randwick, where she returns to set weight conditions.
Jason Collett sticks with her and Freedman expects her to strip much fitter with the benefit of her first-up run.
“She had a big blow after the race so I’m sure, fitness-wise, she will derive plenty from it,” he said.
“She only went down by half a head, it was a very good run from a filly coming back from a winter spell and she should improve off the back of it.”
The Furious Stakes has attracted the usual collection of up-and-coming fillies, including Ameena who will be attempting to clean sweep the first two Princess Series races.
Also engaged is Drifting, a strong first-up winner of the Quezette Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield, while the David Payne-trained Shohisha steps up to black-type company following a resounding debut win in midweek grade.
Payne regards the latter as his most promising horse since multiple Group 1 winner Montefilia, and while the Flight Stakes (1600m) is her primary goal, he is looking forward to seeing how she measures up against the more experienced fillies on Saturday.
“The 1200-metres might be a bit short, but she will go for those (Princess Series) races,” Payne said.
“She has done well and she can only improve.
“The Flight will hopefully be her main aim. We will probably have to take on (unbeaten filly) Autumn Glow there, but why not? You never know what happens.”