Danny O’Brien’s smart local galloper At The Heads scored their debut black-type triumph at Flemington on Saturday running away to take out the 2012 Chester Manifold Stakes.
Backing up from a close fifth to Let’s Be Happy at the track less than a fortnight ago, Hussonet five-year-old At The Heads ($10) showed good improvement to beat home the previously undefeated Peter Snowden-trained three-year-old Pied A Terre ($2.35F) by one and three quarter lengths in the $150,000 Listed Chester Manifold Stakes (1400m).
Clinton McDonald’s Second Effort ($9.50) ran a brave third only a neck further away while Peter Moody’s mare There’s Only One ($7), who was shooting for their sixth consecutive win, crossed in fourth just a nose ahead of their stablemate Shout Out Loud.
At The Heads has now won five of their 19 career starts to date earning $305,725 in prize money for connections, Saturday’s winning jockey James Winks very happy with the ride.
“He gave me a lovely ride,” Winks said.
“He bounced and he just idled nice.
“He got to the front and actually switched off but he got a little bit of a whiff that they were coming and he kicked in again and hit the line good.”
The horse’s only other stakes assignment to date was in the Group 2 Alister Clark Stakes (1600m) at Moonee Valley back in February 2010, a race At The Heads managed to finish a brave two lengths away fourth to Linton in.
After their strong performance in the Chester Manifold Stakes 2012, they could be given a shot at Group level again during the upcoming autumn carnivals.
Stay tuned to us here at Races.com.au for all the best Sydney and Melbourne Autumn Racing Carnival race fields, betting tips and odds updates.
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2012 Chester Manifold Stakes Results & Finishing Order
Flemington Race 6 – 14/01/2012
| Place | # | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Margin | Br. | Wgt. | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 11 | AT THE HEADS (NZ) | Danny O’Brien | James Winks | - | 7 | 54.5kg | $10 |
| 2 | 12 | PIED A TERRE | Peter Snowden | Mark Zahra | 1.75L | 10 | 54.5kg | $2.35F |
| 3 | 6 | SECOND EFFORT | Clinton McDonald | Danny Nikolic | 1.95L | 1 | 57.5kg | $9.50 |
| 4 | 10 | THERE’S ONLY ONE | Peter G Moody | Luke Nolen | 2.05L | 9 | 54.5kg | $7 |
| 5 | 4 | SHOUT OUT LOUD | Peter G Moody | Dwayne Dunn | 2.15L | 4 | 58.5kg | $31 |
| 6 | 8 | BY THE WAY | Mark Lewis | Jason Benbow | 2.55L | 5 | 56kg | $10 |
| 7 | 13 | SEDUCED | Michael Kent | Dean Yendall | 2.65L | 2 | 54.5kg | $41 |
| 8 | 2 | MR MAKE BELIEVE | Peter G Moody | Michael Walker | 4.65L | 8 | 59kg | $15 |
| 9 | 3 | SHADOWFAX (NZ) | Mark Kavanagh | Damien Oliver | 4.85L | 6 | 59kg | $10 |
| 10 | 1 | DANZYLUM | Robbie Griffiths | Steven King | 7.85L | 3 | 60kg | $26 |
| - | 7 | LET’S BE HAPPY | Mick Clark | Chris Symons | - | 0 | - | - |
| - | 5 | BIG SLICK | Dennis O’Leary | Steven Arnold | - | 0 | - | - |
| - | 9 | ECHOES OF HEAVEN | Mick Price | Craig Newitt | - | 0 | - | - |
