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Pacific Bloodstock's progressive 4YO mare Long Face Grace more than doubled her earnings on Friday evening when she proved too strong in the $100,000 Cranbourne TC Inglis Pinker Pinker Plate over 2080 metres.
The daughter of Manhattan Rain made light of her wide draw with the aid of Glen Boss who directed her towards the rail, to settle in third spot as Billie Frechette took up the pace from Trancing.
Long Face Grace rolled along easily off the pace through the middle stages and was poised to strike as the field caught Billie Frechette round the turn. Boss got to work after the mare straightened up and she kicked clear, with enough in hand to hold off the fast-finishing Zanteca by a neck. Ring Da Belle was a further 1.7 lengths away, third.
Boss said, “She’s a quality mare, I always thought she was probably looking for the 2000 or more. For an inexperienced filly, she’s got some good qualities."
A $70,000 purchase by Pacific Bloodstock principal Mark Hoare from the 2013 Magic Millions draft of Highgrove Stud, Long Face Grace has progressed quickly in the Mark Kavanagh stable since her debut third at Yarra Valley in March. She has now won three of her last four starts and has relished each step up in distance.
Long Face Grace is the fifth foal of Retract (by Flying Spur), a city-winning half-sister to the dam of champion filly Atlantic Jewel and Group 1 winner Commanding Jewel.
Given he is free of Danehill, it's not surprising that Manhattan Rain (by Encosta De Lago) is proving effective with mares by the supersire's sons. His eleven winners bred that way include his Group 2-winning son Moonovermanhattan (also from a Flying Spur mare), Group-placed pair Man Of Choice & Manhattan Avenue, and stakes-placed Right Or Wrong.
It's been a fruitful week for Manhattan Rain, with three notable winners in six days. 3YO filly Manrose Hattan (ex Marlena Rose by Al Samer) scored by 3 lengths over 1600 metres at Doomben last Saturday, and 4YO gelding Mr Manhattan (ex Fashion Police by Elusive Quality) was successful over 1000 metres at Warwick Farm last Monday.
Manhattan Rain has two Group 1 runners on Saturday: Moonovermanhattan in the Toorak Handicap at Caulfield, and Man Of Choice in the Spring Champion Stakes at Randwick.
