Manetti - Tribute to a Trier
- Wednesday, 15 January 2003 00:00
The following spring he took Manetti to the Birdsville races on the way to a stay in Brisbane. Over 1200m he carried 61kg to victory by 2 ½ lengths from Bronze Raider in a 1200m Open Hcp. An eight week break followed before Manetti lined up at Doomben. After being with the leaders early he faded to finish at the tail of the field. Two weeks later he again tailed the field home before finally showing some form in running fourth at the Sunshine Coast when ridden by future Adelaide apprentice Nozi Tomizawa.
Another 8 week break followed and Manetti and his trainer returned to South Australia as he lined up at Cheltenham on 27th January 2001 over 1000m. Midfield of the 17 runners early Manetti made ground to run fourth beaten just under a length by new sprinting star Romilada. He then went to Murray Bridge and was sent out 16/10 favourite before leading throughout to win by nearly 3 lengths from Sedonic with General Winfield third.
He was then third to Empress Waltz and Always Aspire at Cheltenham over 1300m before being unplaced in Listed company behind Lazing About and Spice Doll at Morphettville. Back to Oakbank he lined up in the main sprint the Listed Clipsal Stakes. After being near the tail throughout he ran on for fourth behind Point Danger and Lazing About. A third at Murray Bridge to Pride of Tarlton followed then a second to Ungalla with Eagle Rhythm third at Morphettville as Manetti was kept in training for the winter races.
On May 26 2001 he led throughout to win over 1250m carrying 57.5kg by 3 lengths from Rations and Bellcina. Two weeks later he then settled in fifth before running on to win by ¾ length from Versace Kid over 1300m at Cheltenham.
Three weeks later he hit the ground running over 1300m at Victoria Park where he led throughout to win by nearly five lengths from Pride of Tarlton with Real Time third.
He was then third at Morphettville when Mustinair and Star Joe swamped him near the line before being freshened and returning to the winning lists in a Flying at Victoria Park over 1250m from Bellediction and Inkamulla. He had his final start for the campaign on 11 August when he lead throughout to win over 1450 at Victoria Park over At Risk and Newsflash. Manetti was then spelled as his trainer headed interstate during the spring.
On December 18 Manetti was back not in Adelaide but at Port Lincoln where he had last raced as a 2yo. Carrying 63kg after the apprentices claim he lined up in a 1000m Flying. Despite conceding over 10kg to others in the field he bolted home by 3 ½ lengths from Please Me (50.5kg) and North Corner (52kg).
It was then back to his favourite Adelaide track at Victoria Park over 1250m in early January. Again he led throughout to win by nearly 2 lengths from Stand By Me with Aptego third carrying 57.5kg.
Three weeks later he was unplaced at Victoria Park as favourite and was examined by the vet after the race. Given a nine week break he again lined up in the Clipsal Stakes at Oakbank but again lost ground and was unplaced. This time he was found to have bled and was banned for three months.
Manetti returned in a Flying at Morphettville on November 9th. After settling in second place he was swamped finishing unplaced but not far from the winner Ken Cheval. He then headed back to Port Lincoln where he was assigned 68kg in a Flying Hcp. As so often in his career a 3 kilo claiming apprentice rode him to bring the weight down slightly but he still lined up with 65kg on a 52kg limit. Manetti flew over the course but in the end the weight proved too much as Ryko got home in front carry a massive 11 kilograms less with Griswald (54kg) third.
Manetti then returned to Adelaide to line up in a Flying down the 1000m straight course at Victoria Park. He was well back in the run though he ran on and was only 5 lengths behind the winner Noble Win by the post. After the race it was found that Manetti had bled for the second time which incurred a life ban from racing in Australia.
Manetti raced 51 times for 18 wins and 12 placings with prizemoney of $279,040. He won 4 races over each of the 1000m, 1200m and 1250m journeys with 3 victories over 1300m and was often sent out as top weight with the imposts often slightly offset due to apprentice claims.
