Gai Waterhouse believes blinkers will make Manhattan Rain even harder to beat on debut at Rosehill on Saturday.The much-hyped colt is providing Waterhouse with something to smile about following a tough week for the stable with the retirement of last year's Golden Slipper winner Sebring."It has been a very emotional week for the stable saying goodbye to Sebring and we can't wait to see Manhattan go around," Waterhouse said.Manhattan Rain makes his eagerly-anticipated debut in the www.slipper.com
Gai Waterhouse believes blinkers will make Manhattan Rain even harder to beat on debut at Rosehill on Saturday.
The much-hyped colt is providing Waterhouse with something to smile about following a tough week for the stable with the retirement of last year's Golden Slipper winner Sebring.
"It has been a very emotional week for the stable saying goodbye to Sebring and we can't wait to see Manhattan go around," Waterhouse said.
Manhattan Rain makes his eagerly-anticipated debut in the www.slipper.com.au Handicap (1100m).
An Encosta De Lago half-brother to supersire Redoute's Choice, Manhattan Rain comes into the race after a recent barrier trial victory over Breeders Plate winner and Betchoice's $7.50 Golden Slipper second favourite Real Saga.
"He's been outstanding in both of his trials but I've put blinkers on him and that will make him even better and more dangerous to his rivals," Waterhouse said.
"All of the hype that has surrounded him is deserved and everybody will see that at Rosehill."
Waterhouse's confidence was bolstered when Real Saga came out and won at Randwick last Saturday.
"He's done everything we've asked of him so far and he confirmed to us against Real Saga that he is something very special," Waterhouse said.
Blake Shinn, who was suspended from February 5 until the 13th for careless riding at Canterbury on Thursday night, has the ride on Manhattan Rain.
"Blake has been so happy with him and like all of us can't wait for the race," Waterhouse said.
Manhattan Rain is at $17 with Betchoice for the Golden Slipper while stablemate More Joyous is the $5 favourite for the $3.5 million race in April.
Waterhouse said More Joyous and Manhattan Rain would not clash until the Slipper.
More Joyous will have her next start in the Silver Slipper Stakes (1100m) at Rosehill on February 28.
The More Than Ready filly scored a 5-1/4 length win over Big Birdie on debut over 1100-metres at Rosehill on January 17.
"She's just been shooting the breeze and enjoying some time at the beach since the run and will be going all guns blazing in the Silver Slipper," Waterhouse said.
Waterhouse added that last year's Silver Slipper winner Amelia's Dream continued to do everything right in her comeback from injury.
The filly has not raced since her 6-1/4 length win in the Group Two race in March after which it was discovered she had fractured her off-front sesamoid during her scintillating victory.
"She's undergone a rigorous rehabilitation program and is a couple of months away, she looks like being a winter carnival horse in Brisbane," Waterhouse said.