Manhattan Street is on target to add a black type credit to his impressive pedigree after digging deep to keep his perfect record intact.
The blueblood was a first-up winner last month for Awapuni trainer Lisa Latta before he delivered a tenacious performance on his home track on Saturday to add the Rural Fuel Two-Year-Old to his record.
The Listed Courtesy Ford Ryder Stakes at Otaki on July 30 is next on the programme for the son of Group One winner Manhattan Rain and Charming Estelle, a sister to Lankan Rupee who topped the world sprint rankings in 2014.
"He would be a very good chance of winning that," successful rider Jonathan Riddell said.
"He's improved all the time through jump-outs to trials and race day. He's a lovely horse with a lot of upside to him."
Raced by Lincoln Farms, Neville McAlister and Wellfield Lodge, Manhattan Street was three wide on the pace across the top before the Mastercraftsman filly Gata cut the corner to dash clear.
However, the colt knuckled down to his work in the closing 150 metres and got the deciding stride in at the death.
"I hadn't done a lot with him since he won at Otaki and there will be a lot of improvement in him going on to the Ryder," Latta said.
"He's going to get over ground and that's why I was a bit surprised he won first-up."
Manhattan Street and the Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman-trained Gata had the finish to themselves with Rosewood a distant third. – NZ Racing Desk.
The blueblood was a first-up winner last month for Awapuni trainer Lisa Latta before he delivered a tenacious performance on his home track on Saturday to add the Rural Fuel Two-Year-Old to his record.
The Listed Courtesy Ford Ryder Stakes at Otaki on July 30 is next on the programme for the son of Group One winner Manhattan Rain and Charming Estelle, a sister to Lankan Rupee who topped the world sprint rankings in 2014.
"He would be a very good chance of winning that," successful rider Jonathan Riddell said.
"He's improved all the time through jump-outs to trials and race day. He's a lovely horse with a lot of upside to him."
Raced by Lincoln Farms, Neville McAlister and Wellfield Lodge, Manhattan Street was three wide on the pace across the top before the Mastercraftsman filly Gata cut the corner to dash clear.
However, the colt knuckled down to his work in the closing 150 metres and got the deciding stride in at the death.
"I hadn't done a lot with him since he won at Otaki and there will be a lot of improvement in him going on to the Ryder," Latta said.
"He's going to get over ground and that's why I was a bit surprised he won first-up."
Manhattan Street and the Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman-trained Gata had the finish to themselves with Rosewood a distant third. – NZ Racing Desk.