Golden Group 1 for Oratorio

Manawanui gave Coolmore shuttler Oratorio (Ire) his first Australia Group 1 win in the Golden Rose on Saturday.

The Warwick Farm based gelding scored by a short neck to end the winning run of Smart Missile (Fastnet Rock).  Darley’s G1 winner Helmet (Exceed And Excel) was next home over three lengths away.

Manawanui (3g Oratorio – Lady Remlap by Filante) went into the first elite event of the season following a four length victory in the G3 ATC Up & Coming Stakes at his home track last month.

Oratorio’s best Australian result with his southern bred progeny before the Golden Rose was Torio’s Quest in the G2 Queensland Guineas in May.  His NZ filly Banchee won the G1 Ford Diamond Stakes at Ellerslie last year.  

“Amazing.  It’s been a long time since I’ve had a good horse,” trainer Ron Leemon said.  “We’ve battled but we’ve got there.”

Manawanui was a $45,000 buy at the 2010 Inglis Classic Sale when catalogued by Goodwood Farm.  He had shown plenty of ability with two juvenile wins at Canterbury in April – May and has run right up to his potential this season.

The Group 1 was his fourth win from just five starts and boosted his earnings to $765,000.

Manawanui, which means bold and courageous in Maori, was bred by Wayne Palmer.  He will offer a brother to the Golden Rose winner through Goodwood Farm at the 2012 Inglis Easter yearling sale.  Their dam Lady Remlap won 7 races up to 1600m in Sydney.  

Oratorio (Ire) was a G1 winner of the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere at two.  He trained on to claim the G1 Eclipse Stakes and Irish Champion Stakes as a three year-old.

His initial Irish bred crop included Beethoven and Fencing Master who filled the quinella in the G1 Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket in October 2009.

Oratorio (Danehill) is standing for an $11,000 (inc gst) service fee at Coolmore this spring.