Manolo Blahniq
Trish Dunell
A friendship dating back to Craig Thornton's successful stint as a jumps jockey in the United States may be further rewarded with a Group Three victory at Ellerslie on Friday.
Now training at Cambridge, Thornton will be represented by the Australian-bound Manolo Blahniq in the Barneswood Farm Eclipse Stakes.
From the first crop of the multiple Group One winner Jimmy Choux, the colt was a $115,000 Karaka purchase by Victorian trainer Tony Noonan out of Curraghmore Stud's draft.
"Tony and I have been mates for a long time, I met him in America about 15 years ago and have done some pre-training for him before now," Thornton said.
Manolo Blahniq was unbeaten in three trials before he made his debut as a short-priced favourite in the Listed Murdoch Newell Stakes at Avondale where he finished a close second after racing greenly in the straight.
"I'm really happy with him and he's by far the best I've had," Thornton said. "I think he's a pretty special horse and I'm privileged to have him."
Thornton's time, however, will be short with Manolo Blahniq who can confirm his place in New Zealand's richest race with a bold run on New Year's Day.
"He'll be going over to Melbourne shortly after the Karaka Million," he said.
Manolo Blahniq will race at Ellerslie in the colours of Nearco Stud, who bred the colt.
"When some shares became available in the horse after he trialled they snapped them back up," Thornton said. – NZ Racing Desk.
Now training at Cambridge, Thornton will be represented by the Australian-bound Manolo Blahniq in the Barneswood Farm Eclipse Stakes.
From the first crop of the multiple Group One winner Jimmy Choux, the colt was a $115,000 Karaka purchase by Victorian trainer Tony Noonan out of Curraghmore Stud's draft.
"Tony and I have been mates for a long time, I met him in America about 15 years ago and have done some pre-training for him before now," Thornton said.
Manolo Blahniq was unbeaten in three trials before he made his debut as a short-priced favourite in the Listed Murdoch Newell Stakes at Avondale where he finished a close second after racing greenly in the straight.
"I'm really happy with him and he's by far the best I've had," Thornton said. "I think he's a pretty special horse and I'm privileged to have him."
Thornton's time, however, will be short with Manolo Blahniq who can confirm his place in New Zealand's richest race with a bold run on New Year's Day.
"He'll be going over to Melbourne shortly after the Karaka Million," he said.
Manolo Blahniq will race at Ellerslie in the colours of Nearco Stud, who bred the colt.
"When some shares became available in the horse after he trialled they snapped them back up," Thornton said. – NZ Racing Desk.