Mantastic, a European import who is by champion Australian sire Fastnet Rock (Danehill), has delivered a second Australian win and first at stakes level for his owners OTI Racing. The lightly raced five-year-old, who started his Australian career with Darren Weir, came from last to take out the CS Hayes Memorial Cup (Listed, 1600m) at Morphettville yesterday.
Having his second start for trainer Chris Waller, Mantastic improved on his first-up eighth at Flemington on February 16 to overcome a slow getaway to score by a nose over Silentz (Snitzel). Japanese import A Shin Rook (Heart’s Cry) was another long neck away in third place.
Jockey Corey Brown admitted to things not going to plan early in the race when Mantastic ended up last from barrier four. “He was slowly away and didn’t muster speed at all,” Brown said. “Chris wanted me up in the first three or four and I was back last. He really pinned the ears back and chased the line hard. “He was meant to be up there just behind the sped, so it was a tough win.”
Mantastic (5 g Fastnet Rock – Foreign Legionary by Galileo), has won three times from 11 starts for $179,177 in prize-money. He is the first winner for his raced mare Foreign Leoinary who is a halfsister to the three-time Group 1 winner Alexander Goldrun (Gold Away) and the European Group 3 winner Medecis (Machiavellian).
Foreign Legionary has a two-year-old filly by Dark Angel (Acclamation) and a yearling colt by Kingman (Invincible Spirit). She is due to foal to Lope De Vega (Shamardal) after being covered last April.
Mantastic is also the 144th stakes winner for Coolmore’s reverse shuttler Fastnet Rock who is also the sire of Group 1 winners including Shoals, Unforgotten, Fastnet Rock and Merchant Navy, who will enter his second year at stud alongside his sire this year.
To view his race replay please click below:
Article: ANZ Bloodstock News
Photo: Racing Photos