In a photo thriller the sole filly in the Inglis Sires’ 2024 beat home the boys with Manaal finishing on top by a narrow margin in a ripping run from the Michael Freedman-trained up-and-comer.

2024 Inglis Sires’ winner Manaal was excellent late showing plenty of fight to beat home the boys in the Group 1 at Randwick. Photo: Steve Hart.

After the Golden Slipper winning filly Lady Of Camelot was scratched from the Group 1 $1 million Inglis Sires’ (1400m) at Randwick due to a wet track, Manaal was the last of the girls taking on the colts and geldings in the second leg of the Triple Crown.

She was excellent retaining her unbeaten record at the course with a third Randwick victory and first since the Group 2 Sweet Embrace two back.

Her Slipper performance at Rosehill on March 23 was full of merit when the talented daughter of Tassort jumped from the carpark draw out in gate 16 to run two lengths fifth at 40/1.

She ran right up to that performance out over further in the Sires’ given a terrific ride by Jason Collett who is now a seven-time Group 1 winning hoop.

“She’s such a good filly. We went home a little bit dejected after the Slipper, circumstances as they were, but after her work on Tuesday said to Hussain (Lootah, owner), ‘I really think it will take a good one to beat her’.

“No disrespect to any of the opposition, for sure, but she’s a really good filly and I’m really excited by what she might be able to do coming back as a three-year-old as well,” Freedman told Sky Thoroughbred Central. 

Storm Boy, beaten when third at short odds in the Golden Slipper, went around the heavily-backed favourite to atone but was disappointing again.

He was caught three-wide throughout with cover but could only manage to finish fourth outside the trifecta.

Anode led the field around after a clean jump and held the front right up until the final 250m when he was joined by the on-pace Traffic Warden.

James Cummings’ Street Boss colt Traffic Warden, fourth in the Slipper at a big price last start, hit the lead with a furlong to go but was challenged late by Manaal and Coleman coming wide out.

Mannal lunged late and put her head down right on the line to win by a bob over the brave Traffic Warden, while Matt Laurie’s consistent Pierata colt Coleman came from last to third after his Slipper second.

It was a terrific training performance by Freedman who had his filly set for the Sires’ her entire prep, and he was well rewarded with his sixth Group 1 success.

A potential shot at the Group 1 $1 million Champagne Stakes (1600m) over the Randwick mile on April 20 will now be considered for Manaal.

Militarize (2023) did the Inglis Sires’ – Champagne Stakes double for Chris Waller last autumn.

All-in 2024 Champagne Stakes odds at Ladbrokes.com.au for Manaal to emulate that feat have firmed into $7 and are available in full here.

2024 Inglis Sires’ Results & Finishing Order

Table Credit: Racing Australia.

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