Bart Cummings will be the horseman behind USA star Sanagas who will target the 2012 Melbourne Cup this spring

Cummings has prepared an unprecedented 12 Melbourne Cup winners over his illustrious and at times testing training career, the last of which was Viewed in 2008.

Out to break his drought with a baker’s dozen this year, Cummings has been assigned crack North American stayer Sanagas who will be aimed at the $6 million Group 1 Emirates Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington on Tuesday November 6, 2012.

Winner of the prestigious Group 1 Hollywood Turf Cup (2400m) last November by a devastating three and a quarter lengths, the German-bred Sanagas is raced in part by Aussie connections, the Victorian-based BC3 Thoroughbreds.

The BC3 purchased Sanagas in connection with David Bernsen, a well-known American thoroughbred breeder and owner, with the exclusive target being the iconic Melbourne Cup.

And what better trainer to send their newly-acquired star to for the spring than the maestro.

“We are delighted that Bart has agreed to train the horse for us,” BC3 Thoroughbreds CEO Bill Vlahos said.

“His record in the Melbourne Cup is unparalleled and it is the race we have purchased Sanagas specifically for.

“It’s a very exciting time for BC3.

“We canvassed the world looking for the best stayers to compete in our premier races like the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups and we delighted to get Sanagas who is lightly raced and has enormous talent.”

Currently prepared in the USA by Peter Miller, Sanagas has raced 10 times producing an incredible seven wins which they will look to add to with three runs at home this season starting on this weekend in the Group 2 San Marcos Stakes (2000m).

The will then go second-up into the Group 2 San Luis Rey Stakes (2400m) on March 18 before stepping up to 2400m at Santa Anita, California for the Group 2 San Juan Capistrano Handicap on April 22.

They are then scheduled to enter quarantine before embarking on an expedition down under two days later on April 23.

“The horse will be out of quarantine in Sydney in early June and then Bart’s focus will be on having him right for the Spring Racing Carnival, and in particular that first Tuesday in November,” Vlahos said.

Cummings was excited to be named as the man in charge of Sanagas’ Australian campaign, saying he was impressed with what he had seen of the horse so far.

“We’ll welcome him with open arms when he arrives and look forward to preparing him for the Melbourne Cup,” Cummings said.

“I’ve watched his wins in the Hollywood Cup and was very impressed with the acceleration he showed after racing wide without cover.”

Two of Cummings’ other likely 2012 Melbourne Cup hopefuls are also set to resume racing this weekend with German import Illo and the always-honest Precedence having been nominated to take on superstar mare Black Caviar in the $400,000 Group 1 CF Orr Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield.

Zabeel six-year-old Precedence and Tertullian stallion Illo were both seen racing in last year’s Melbourne Cup when they finished and 11^th and 19^th respectively behind winner the French-trained winner Duanden.

Melbourne Cup 2012 odds are already up and getting plenty of attention at Luxbet, markets led by 2010 winner and last year’s eye catching fourth-placed Americain.

Americain is equal $21 favouite along with the liked of boom filly Atlantic Jewel, Victoria Derby runner-up Induna, and last year’s Melbourne Cup second (Red Cadeaux) and third (Lucas Cranach) placegetters.

Sanagas is currently rated $41 in the early markets, equal with Illo, while Precedence is unlisted in the futures.

Races.com.au aim to be a punters’ best friend each and every Melbourne Cup, so make sure you stayed tuned.

For now, why not throw a dollar or two on your early Melbourne Cup selections at Luxbet who are refunding all Melbourne Cup bets on horses that are not among the official nominees later in the year!

Boom filly Atlantic Jewel is one of the early 2012 Melbourne Cup betting favourites

Officially the world’s richest handicap, the $6.2 million Group 1 Emirates Melbourne Cup (3200m) always runs at the famous Flemington Racecourse on the first Tuesday of November.

The 2012 Melbourne Cup race date is then Tuesday November 6, the race to run as Flemington Race 7 at 3:00pm (VIC time).

Already futures Melbourne Cup odds are out at the country’s leading online bookmakers including Luxbet.

Early favourites in these pre-nomination Melbourne Cup betting markets include 2010 Melbourne Cup winner Americain ($21 Luxbet), last year’s Thousand Guineas champion Atlantic Jewel ($21 Luxbet), Peter Snowden’s Victoria Derby runner-up Induna ($21 Luxbet), crack German import Lucas Cranach ($21 Luxbet) who ran third in the Melbourne Cup last year, and Red Cadeaux ($21 Luxbet) who went down by the narrowest of Melbourne Cup margins when second to Dunaden in 2011.

These markets are of course tentative as no horses have officially been entered for the 2012 Melbourne Cup field as yet.

One great thing about the early Melbourne Cup odds at Luxbet, however, is the fact Luxbet are refunding all Melbourne Cup bets placed on horses in these All-In markets that are not nominated for the ‘race that stops a nation’.

So when are the 2012 Melbourne Cup nominations taken?

Last year the first round of entries were taken on Thursday September 1, one month later than Melbourne Cup nominations had traditionally closed in early August.

It is expected that Racing Victoria will continue with this Melbourne Cup nomination schedule and that the Melbourne Cup 2012 nominations will be taken around September 6, 2012.

Of course, this date is approximate until confirmed by the VRC.

Races.com.au aim to be the go-to racing site for all of your Melbourne Cup field and betting updates, so make sure you stay tuned over the coming months.

In the meantime, check out the futures Melbourne Cup odds and betting options at Luxbet.

New to sign-up with Luxbet? Be instantly rewarded with a bonus bet valued up to $400 when you deposit and quote the exclusive promo code BONUSBET.

Waterhouse's 2010 Caulfield Cup winner Descarado

After breaking her Caulfield Cup maiden in 2010 with Descarado, Waterhouse is keener than ever to win the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival classic again with Thorn Park gelding Kontiki Park one of her early candidates to do so in 2012.

A winner of seven of their 25 career starts to date Kontiki Park has been enjoying a purple patch of late.

After running a brave second to Monton in the Group 2 Villiers Stakes (1600m) at Warwick Farm in mid-December they went on to score a narrow victory over Fillydelphia in the Listed Bernborough Handicap (1615m) at Doomben on New Year’s Eve.

Last start Kontiki Park was seen running away to put a minimum three lengths on their rivals, including runner-up Playaction, in the Magic Millions Stayers Cup (1800m) at the Gold Coast on January 14, carrying a hefty 59kg with Nash Rawiller aboard to do so.

Untested in Victoria as yet, Waterhouse believes that this year will see the rise of Kontiki Park to Melbourne Spring Carnival level, possibly all the way to the $2.5 million Group 1 BMW Caulfield Cup (2400m) in October.

A first step towards the 2012 Caulfield Cup field for Kontiki Park could be in the $200,000 Listed Mornington Cup (2400m) on February 15, a win in which would see them qualify for the Caulfield Cup.

There is also the option of heading down to Tasmania instead for the AAMI Tasmanian Summer Racing Carnival features including the $300,000 Group 3 Hobart Cup (2200m) on February 12.

“I’m looking at the good races in Tasmania but there’s also the Mornington Cup,” Waterhouse said.

“If he can win the Mornington Cup, he is qualified for the Caulfield Cup.”

Won last year by Perth Cup runner-up Guyno, the Mornington Cup 2012 looks to be attracting another high-quality field with other possible contenders including recent Perth Cup winning mare Western Jewel.

Stay up-to-date with all the upcoming autumn and spring news by bookmarking us here at Races.com.au.

Don’t forget, now is the ideal time to open that online betting account you’ve been meaning to since Melbourne Cup Day as our preferred bookie Luxbet are handing out $400 bonus bets to new customers that deposit and quote the code BONUSBET!

Golden Rose winner Manawanui is likely to resume racing in the 2012 Royal Sovereign Stakes on February 18

The Oratorio gelding, a winner of six of their nine career starts to date including the Group 1 Golden Rose last September, had their first official hitout on Tuesday morning racing over 800 metres on the course proper at Warwick Farm.

They did little of note with Glyn Schofield bringing them in at the tail end of the field, Gai Waterhouse’s Montana Flyer winning in a time of 48.00 on the Slow rated track, but Leemon expected as much with Manawanui still a long way off his racing weight.

“All he was doing was having his first gallop today, it was just a fitness thing, he’s still very fat,” Leemon explained.

“It was a hot trial with a lot of speed horses in it.

“His major trial will be on the seventh of February.”

Last seen finishing three and a half lengths away sixth to Sangster in the Group 1 Victoria Derby (2500m) at Flemington on October 29, Manawanu is now fighting to get fit ahead of the Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival.

Leemon, who has knocked back offers exceeding $2 million to take his stable ace off his hands, admitted Manawanui was a little behind where he would ideally like him to be with the autumn fast approaching, but that their class should see them come on quickly from here on.

“I am a little bit behind where I would have liked to have been at this stage,” he said.

“There is nothing wrong with the horse, he is fit and sound, it is just the gap between the carnivals.

“I gave him a five week spell (following the Victoria Derby) and that’s all I could afford because he needs to get racing under his belt.

“You don’t realise how quickly the autumn carnival swings around until you actually have a horse that you have to get ready for it.

“He has still got a little more developing to do but that will come in time.

“If I had given him another three or four weeks in the paddock he would be there now.

“To the eye he looks thicker, he has filled out a little.”

Having already amassed over $1.27 million in prize money to date, Manawanui is set to target the $500,000 Group 1 Randwick Guineas (1600m) at Royal Randwick on March 17.

They will head into the race via the $175,000 Group 2 Royal Sovereign Stakes (1200m) at Warwick Farm on February 18 and then the $200,000 Group 2 Hobartville Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill on March 3.

How they go over the mile against a field of their fellow three-year-olds will then guide whether Leemon races them against older rivals for the first time in the $400,000 Group 1 George Ryder Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill on Golden Slipper Day, April 7, and then possibly even the $2 million Group 1 Doncaster Handicap (1600m) back at Randwick on April 21.

“At this stage the main aim will be the Randwick Guineas, the path there will include the Royal Sovereign and Hobartville and then we will see how he goes in the Guineas,” Leemon said.

“From there we have the option of going to the George Ryder and then Doncaster.”

Of course, the pipe dream of 2012 for Leemon is to get Manawanui into the $3 million Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley in October during the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival.

Bypassing the lucrative weight-for-age feature last year due to their tender age, Leemon hopes that by keeping Manawanui to the mile during the autumn he may be able to stretch him to the Cox Plate distance in the spring.

“We would love to get to a Cox Plate with him and I want to ensure he gets a decent spell after the autumn,” Leemon said.

Follow Manawanui throughout the autumn right here at Races.com.au.

Whatever race you’re betting on, we can guarantee you’ll find the best odds on it online at Luxbet. Sign up with Luxbet now depositing and quoting the code BONUSBET to unlock a $400 bonus bet to use on a race of your choice this season!

Dream Flyer's half-brother Dream Pedlar (pictured) won the Devonport Cup last year before a Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival campaign

One of the premier races on the 2012 Tasmanian Summer Racing Carnival program, the $300,000 Group 2 Hobart Cup (2200m) is scheduled to run at Hobart Racecourse on February 12.

Interestingly bred gelding Dream Flyer by European sire Savoire Vivre out of Top Avenger mare Unamah will be out for the Hobart Cup win as they make yet another summer carnival appearance.

As a three-year-old they ran fifth in the Listed Tasmanian Guineas (1600m) during the summer season, returning last year to run a close fourth to Peter Moody’s Victorian raider Doubtful Jack in the Listed TheTote.Com.Au Stakes (1200m).

Resuming racing after 10 months on the sidelines, Dream Flyer kicked off a new preparation in winning style taking out a 1200 metres Hobart sprint on December 4 after doing plenty of work to overcome gate 12 of 12.

They have been gradually stepped up in distance recently with connections looking to get Dream Flyer into staying territory, and it has been so far so good.

After running second to Gea Force in the Sheffiled Cup (1650m) on Boxing Day they returned to the Tapeta Synthetic track at Spreyton on January 11 to take out the Devonport Cup (1880m) by a length over Catwen Boy.

The victory handed their Longford-based trainer Blacker back-to-back wins in the feature following the success of Dream Flyer’s half-brother, multiple stakes winner Dream Pedlar last year.

“We’ve taken our time, he’s five years of age now so I mean if he’s going to make it as a stayer this is the time to do it,” Black said.

“He’s a much more mature horse now so we’ve been patient with him early and he’s shown amazing limits of ability and a great turn of foot.

“I think he’ll definitely go to the Hobart Cup now, we’ll take Launceston (Cup over 2400 metres on February 29) on as we come, but the Hobart Cup, we’ll definitely push on towards that.”

It was the third Devonport Cup win for ace jockey Brendon McCoull who won with Lunardi (2008) and Bay Ritz (2006), McCoull keen to continue his association with Dream Flyer in the Hobart Cup.

“I was really happy with the run we secured during the race and when I asked him to improve he responded well,” McCoull said of Dream Flyer in the Devonport Cup.

“I’m keen to maintain the ride aboard him in the Hobart Cup.”

Following the summer in Tasmania Blacker said there was a strong chance that Dream Flyer could follow in the footsteps of Dream Pedlar, who won the Group 3 JRA Cup (2040m) at Moonee Valley last September before finishing 15^th to Southern Speed in the Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) on October 15 last year, and head to the 2012 Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival.

“We’ll just get over this campaign first and then if the horse is 100 percent within himself and goes to the paddock well and if he comes back up next time then we might go to the Melbourne Spring,” Blacker said.

Get all the hottest Tasmanian Summer Racing Carnival news by following us here at Races.com.au.

For the best Hobart Cup odds make sure you have an account open with Luxbet who are offering all first time depositing customers a $400 bonus bet when they enter the code BONUSBET this summer!

Victoria Derby winner Sangster could target the 2012 Melbourne Cup in the spring

Last season the three-year-old travelled across the Tasman and embarked on a successful six-race assault in Sydney and Melbourne, at the end of which they boasted over $1 million in career prize money.

Sangster’s season in Australia started with a gritty win over 1200 metres at Warwick Farm in August and culminated with a victory in one of the spring’s richest races, the $1.5 million Group 1 Victoria Derby (2500m) at Flemington on October 29.

Their Cambridge-based trainer Busuttin is hoping Australia will again be a country of great spoils for his stable ace having named the $750,000 Group 1 Australian Guineas (1600m) as the main autumn aim for Sangster.

“He’s still got maturing to do physically but he has muscled up a lot,” Busuttin said of Sangster who had been back in work for six weeks.

A 1400 metre weight-for-age race at Te Rapa in New Zealand on February 11 is penciled in for Sangster’s resuming run this year, after which they are likely to head straight to Melbourne for a second-up shot at Australian Guineas success.

“It all depends on what he does first-up over 1400 metres,” Busuttin said in regards to Sangster’s autumn program.

“If he runs well and hits the line strongly then he’ll run in the Australian Guineas.”

If not the Australian Guineas, a back-up option for the three-year-old included the $200,000 Group 2 Hobartville Stakes (1400m) in Sydney at Rosehill, also run on Australian Guineas Day.

Busuttin named the $200,000 Group 2 Alister Clark Stakes (2040m) at Moonee Valley on March 16 as their third-up run should they go the Australian Guineas way in Melbourne, which would be followed by runs in the $500,000 Group 1 Rosehill Guineas (2000m) on March 31 and then the $1.5 million Group 1 AJC Australian Derby (2400m) two weeks later at Royal Randwick during the Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival.

“In his two runs in Melbourne (during the spring) he was wide throughout and had to hit the lead a long way out and from there he tended to stargaze,” Busuttin said.

“It would be nice for him to get a run where he has cover and then he can sprint with 200 metres as I think that would make a difference.”

Following the autumn grand final plans for Sangster in 2012 included a possible shot at Australia’s richest race, the iconic $6 million Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) on the first Tuesday of November at Flemington.

“He’ll get a run (in the Melbourne Cup 2012),” Busuttin said.

“Whether he’s up to Melbourne Cup class that remains to be seen.

“I know everyone said it was a weak Derby, but if you go through the Derby results in recent years there’s always a top horse or two to come from each run.”

The Lloyd Williams-owned Efficient became the first horse since the mighty Phar Lap (1929 – 30), to win the Victoria Derby and then the Melbourne Cup 12 months later in 2006 and 2007.

Ensure you don’t miss a minute of the autumn racing action by signing up with Luxbet, the bookie offering punters a better deal.

New to sign up with Luxbet? Quote the exclusive promo code BONUSBET when depositing between $25 and $400 to get your initial stakes matched 100% as a bonus bet up to $400!

Ironstein will target the 2012 Melbourne Cup on the first Tuesday of November

Rosehill-based Ryan made a late decision to accept his Zabeel six-year-old Ironstein for the $6 million Group 1 Emirates Melbourne Cup (3200m) during last year’s Melbourne Spring Carnival despite being unconvinced the galloper would be ready for the testing two mile showdown.

As fortune had it, Ironstein was balloted out of the Melbourne Cup field by just two positions and went on instead to easily win the Group 3 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2600m) by two and a half lengths on Emirates Stakes Day taking out an additional $100,000 bonus for the victory as a Melbourne Cup acceptor.

“I got a bit worried when he moved up to number 26 for the Cup and I thought he might get a start and I didn’t want him to,” Ryan explained.

“I didn’t think he was mature enough for 3200 metres and the Queen Elizabeth was the plan.”

The Queen Elizabeth Stakes was Ironstein’s eighth career win from 34 starts and their fourth at stakes level and helped convince Ryan that they would be progressive enough for the Melbourne Cup this year.

It also helped ensure they would be balloted inside the top 24 in the Melbourne Cup order of entry for 2012.

“The Queen Elizabeth qualified him for the Melbourne Cup so that won’t be a worry,” Ryan said.

More immediately Ryan is focused on making Ironstein a Group 1 winner during the autumn, a possible first-up run in the $2 million Doncaster Handicap (1600m) at Randwick on April 21 on the cards.

Ironstein returned to Ryan last week in fine form last week having spent six weeks at the Strawberry Hill property of part-owner John Singleton.

“He came back last Thursday and looks sensational,” Ryan confirmed.

“The plan could be to go to the Doncaster Prelude and then two or three races in Queensland.

“Or he could go first-up into the Doncaster.

“He goes so well first-up and would get into the race with a light weight so it is an option.

“In Queensland we are looking at races like the Hollindale Stakes, the Doomben Cup and the O’Shea Stakes.”

The $300,000 Group 2 AD Hollindale Stakes (1800m) runs at the Gold Coast on May 5 while the $650,000 Group 1 Doomben Cup (2020m) will run a fortnight later during the Brisbane Winter Racing Carnival.

The richest race of its kind in the world, each year the Melbourne Cup attracts a field of stayers from both Australia and overseas, the most recent Melbourne Cup winner being the French-trained Dunaden who held on in a thrilling photo finish to beat home fellow European raider Red Cadeaux in 2011.

It was the second straight year the country’s prized race was claimed by a French-trained horse following Americain’s upset win in 2010.

The 2012 Melbourne Cup will again be the highlight of the annual Victorian Spring Racing Carnival, very early futures markets on the feature led by $21 chance Lucas Cranach, Anthony Freedman’s German import having run third in last year’s edition.

Ironstein is rated a $151 chance in these tentative Melbourne Cup odds.

More definite Melbourne Cup betting will open at our preferred online bookmaker Luxbet closer to the spring.

Why wait until race day to place your winning wagers? Get a better price on every horse in every race every day by signing up with Luxbet today and also enjoy a $400 bonus bet as a new depositing customer when you enter the codeword BONUSBET.

Due to run as Wyong Race 4 at 3:10pm (NSW time), the $200,000 Magic Millions Wyong 2YO Classic (1100m) field currently features nine hopefuls after the Liam Birchely-trained Shamrock Slipper was an early scratching.

Of the remaining runners only three of had previous race experience, making for a relatively wide open betting affair for the punters at Luxbet.

Currently Wyong Magic Millions Classic odds are led by Paul Perry’s Breeders Plate runner-up Hidden Warrior ($3.80 Luxbet) and the Tony McEvoy-trained Little Critter ($4 Luxbet) who has won one of their two starts to date.

The next shortest-priced runners are then the unraced Hoffenhorry ($7.50) who trialed brilliantly at Rosehill earlier in the month, Clarry Conners’ Gimcrack Stakes fourth placegetter Dear Demi ($6.50) and the Gai Waterhouse-trained Fastnet Rock colt Burning Sails ($7.50).

A little further down the Wyong MM Classic markets punters can find Hoss Amor, the General Nediym filly ready to make her first official appearance having run a close fourth in a Rosehill trial over 900 meters on December 6.

“She galloped outstanding on Saturday morning so we war really excited about her debut on Thursday,” O’Shea said.

Hoss Amor is due to be ridden by Brenton Avdulla on Thursday, trial jockey Christian Reith engaged to ride Wyong rival Hidden Warrior, from barrier six.

It will be a nervous day for Hoss Amor’s interesting collection of connections that includes five promotion winners that scored a share in the filly thanks to a TAB Sportsbet promotion earlier in the year.

A successful debut and Hoss Amor could continue onto the 2012 Gold Coast Magic Millions 2YO Classic in Queensland on January 14, the filly currently rated a $51 roughie in the Luxbet futures on the feature.

To view the full Wyong Magic Millions Race Day odds, and access the all-in markets for the upcoming Gold Coast Magic Millions Carnival, visit Luxbet.

Luxbet is Australia’s ace online bookie offering a better price on every market you are after.

Experience the difference today and be doubly rewarded with a bonus welcome bet valued up to $400 when you join Luxbet, deposit and quote the codeword BONUSBET!

Christmas Cup winner Sea Galleon could target the 2012 Caulfield Cup next spring

It was a successful first trip to Sydney for the Colin and Cindy Alderson-trained Galileo five-year-old Sea Galleon over the weekend, the Cranbourne-based galloper posting their third straight success with a one length win over Nextanix in the Listed Christmas Cup (2400m) at Rosehill.

While they have now been sent to the paddock for a well-earned rest, connections opting to bypass the $125,000 Group 3 Summer Cup (2400m) at Rosehill on Boxing Day, Sea Galleon is being spruiked for big things next season.

“He needs the paddock, he’s come to the end,” Cindy Alderson said after the Christmas Cup triumph.

“He’s done a great job to win three on the trot.”

With the Christmas Cup victory Sea Galleon also ticked one of the early boxes towards qualifying for the $2.5 million Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) next October, an ambitious aim Alderson was happy to entertain.

“I think he could become a Caulfield Cup horse,” she said.

“He races best when the pressure is on all the way and that’s usually the story in the Caulfield Cup.

“Now I have to work out a way to get him up the (ballot) list.”

Alderson went on to name the $200,000 Listed Mornington Cup (2400m) on February 15, a Caulfield Cup qualifier, as a possible target for Sea Galleon next year.

One person firmly in favour of setting Sea Galleon on the path towards the Caulfield Cup 2012 is Schofield, who partnered with them for the first time in the Christmas Cup.

“He could be a Caulfield Cup horse,” Schofield said.

There is a chance Sea Galleon could have a crack at Group 1 glory during the upcoming Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival, the horse a possible contender for the $2.25 million The BMW (2400m) at Rosehill on Easter Saturday, April 4.

“He’s only little, so I’m not really sure how he’d go with a big weight at weight-for-age in a race like the BMW but he might,” Alderson said.

The other option would be to keep Sea Galleon to a short, low-key autumn before a big spring assault.

For all the best autumn and spring racing news and betting info, stay tuned to Races.com.au.

Before 2011 is over punters still have a number of top chances to clean out the bookies, so to ensure you have access to the best prices head to Luxbet today and join Australia’s No. 1 online bookmaker quoting the code BONUSBET when depositing for a $400 bonus bet!

Golden Rose winner Manawanui will have a light autumn to prepare for the 2012 Cox Plate next spring

The Oratorio gelding will be out to add to their already very impressive record during the autumn with races including the $2 million Group 1 Doncaster Handicap (1600m) at Royal Randwick on April 22, 2012 on their agenda.

Warwick Farm-based trainer Leemon has indicated Manwanui would be kept to just four or five starts in the new season to ensure they get to the $3 million Cox Plate (2040m) next October in the best possible order.

“The Doncaster is obviously one of those in the back of my mind,” Leemon said.

“I want to give him maybe five runs and put him away.

“My long term aim has always been the Cox Plate.”

A winner of six of their nine career starts to date, Manawanui has amassed over $1.27 million in prize money thanks to performances including their impressive four and a half length romp in the Group 3 Up & Coming Stakes (1300m) first-up back in August and their gritty final-stride victory over boom favourite Smart Missile in the Group 1 Golden Rose (1400m) on September 10.

Manawanui didn’t finish there either, following the Golden Rose they went on to win the Group 2 Stan Fox Stakes (1500m) a fortnight later before going down a mere nose to overseas-bound Helmet in the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas (1600m) in early October.

Continuing on to add another Group race win to their name in the Moonee Valley Vase (2040m) on Cox Plate Day, Manawanui was last seen finishing three and a half lengths away sixth to Sangster in the Group 1 Victoria Derby (2500m) at Flemington on October 29.

Despite finishing out of the placings in the Derby, Leemon said that after the testing spring they had had and stepping up to the 2500 metres for the first time, Manawanui did an excellent job.

They are now back in work with Leemon still to decide on a resuming run for his stable star.

“I haven’t picked out a set race to start him off with yet,” Leemon said, going on to say he would likely trial Manawanui in late January before a first-up run towards the end of February.

Victoria Derby winner Sangster is back in work ahead of the autumn where they will target the 2012 AJC Australian Derby

Meanwhile, the horse that ran away with the Victoria Derby win this spring, Trent Busuttin’s New Zealand galloper Sangster is also getting ready to return to the turf.

The Savabeel gelding will target the $1.5 million Group 1 AJC Australian Derby (2400m) at Randwick on April 4 during the Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival next year, but it is the spring Busuttin is really looking forward to.

While the Victoria Derby as a form indicator for the following spring has been questionable over the years, Busuttin is dreaming the dream all trainers have, naming the iconic $6.2 million Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington on the first Tuesday of November as the ultimate goal for his Derby winner.

“The ultimate goal would be the Melbourne Cup,” he said.

“But it’s half the battle to get him into the race as a New Zealand horse.”

Busuttin said Sangster had come back in great condition and would likely head towards the 2012 AJC Derby via the traditional path running in races including the $500,000 Group 1 Randwick Guineas (1600m) on March 17 and the $500,000 Group 1 Rosehill Guineas (2000m) a fortnight later after a first-up run at home.

“He comes back into work today…a week early because he was going so well,” he said.

Get all the latest autumn carnival updates and betting info by bookmarking us here at Races.com.au.

When it comes to placing your race bets, whether it’s on an autumn Group 1 or a midweek handicap, Luxbet have the price and market you’re after.

So join Luxbet today and be doubly rewarded with a bonus welcome bet valued at 100% of your first deposit up to $400 when you enter the code BONUSBET.