Weight advantage boosts Hail Manhattan's bid for successive Member's Cup wins

By Glenn Davis

A significant weight turnaround and a glowing report from jockey Ryan Wiggins has boosted the hopes of Hail Manhattan completing successive Tattersall’s Member’s Cup victories at Doomben on Saturday.

Wiggins has retained the ride on Hail Manhattan in the 1600-metre Listed feature after finishing a close fourth to the Chris Anderson-trained Profit at Doomben on February 12.

Hail Manhattan was ridden by apprentice Adin Thomson when he won last year’s Tattersall’s Member’s Cup when it was conducted at the Sunshine Coast.

“It was a good run from him last start but he pulled a bit hard and he did well to box on as well as he did,” said co-trainer Peter Hulbert.

“Ryan rode him work last week and said he worked like a Group horse and he rode him again on Tuesday and he told me his work was even better.

“They claimed on Profit when he was ridden by an apprentice last time but this is a non-claiming race and we drop significantly in the weights.

“We only got beaten one-and-a-half lengths by Profit and we meet him 3.5kgs better this time.”

Hulbert, who trains in partnership with his son Will, still considers Profit as the biggest threat to Hail Manhattan.

“Profit is obviously the one to beat again as he's grown a leg this campaign,” he said.

“The rain we’re getting won’t hurt my bloke and we meet Profit a lot better at the weights.”

Doomben was rated a Heavy 10 at acceptance time following a deluge of rain.

Profit has won two of his four starts on slow tracks but is untried in the heavy while Hail Manhattan has started nine times on soft tracks for four wins and two seconds.

He has also raced on a heavy track finishing second at his only attempt.

Hail Manhattan had two starts during last year’s Queensland Winter Racing Carnival after his Member’s Cup victory, but failed to fire on both occasions in the Listed Lightning Handicap and Group 3 Healy Stakes at Eagle Farm.

The son of Manhattan Rain then embarked on a Country Cups campaign, finishing second in the Rockhampton Cup before claiming the Mackay Cup.

He then ran in the Townsville Cup over 2000 metres but could only manage fifth, beaten just over two lengths by Fortification last August.

Hulbert has ruled out a return trip for the Northern Winter Racing Carnival this year.

“He did a great job last year to finish second in the Rocky Cup and win in Mackay but he was over the top by the time he ran in the Townsville Cup,” Hulbert said.

“I doubt he’ll be going back this year as he’d get too much weight.”