Trainer Colin Davies is eyeing a Manikato Stakes start for his stable star Stanzout after the grey won for the first time over 1000 metres at Moonee Valley.The Group One Manikato is run over 1200m at the Valley on September 24 and Davies was most encouraged by the fact that the Gallo Di Ferro eight-year-old was able to win at his fifth try at the shorter trip on Saturday after only one previous placing at the distance.Sent out at $4.80 in the $100,000 RDC Australasian Flooring Plate, Stanzout wa
Trainer Colin Davies is eyeing a Manikato Stakes start for his stable star Stanzout after the grey won for the first time over 1000 metres at Moonee Valley.
The Group One Manikato is run over 1200m at the Valley on September 24 and Davies was most encouraged by the fact that the Gallo Di Ferro eight-year-old was able to win at his fifth try at the shorter trip on Saturday after only one previous placing at the distance.
Sent out at $4.80 in the $100,000 RDC Australasian Flooring Plate, Stanzout was beautifully positioned by Craig Williams on the back of the leader Morgan Dollar ($4.20 fav) in the run before coming off the fence and edging clear to score by 1-1/4 lengths.
Morgan Dollar held on for second, a half-head in front of Keano ($6).
A proud Davies said he had the multiple Group One placegetter back to where he was two or three years ago.
"It's taken a long time and a lot of work but I tell you what, he's worth it, he's still got plenty in him," Davies said.
"The reason I brought him here today is because I'm aiming him at the Manikato here next month and I wanted to see if he would handle Moonee Valley again which he did."
Davies said the main health issue with Stanzout was that after winning the 2007 Group Two Gilgai Stakes (1200m) at Flemington he contracted a lung infection and had polyps in his windpipe.
Other problems followed such as a torn hip muscle and a broken wither.
"It's been a lot of work but it's paying off," Davies said.
The trainer said he was confident Stanzout could win on Saturday, despite the drop back to 1000m, going on his half-length second to Cox Plate favourite Shoot Out in the Group Three Bletchingly Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield late last month.
"He's run unbelievable sectional times at his past two starts and hopefully the Manikato is in sight," Davies said.
"I don't want to overrace him but he could run in the Bobbie Lewis. I'm trying to keep him for the main races such as the Manikato.
"He's never won at 1000 metres before but he's going that good I was confident he could do it today."
The Group Three Bobbie Lewis Quality (1200m) is run at Flemington on September 4.
Earlier, Glen Boss celebrated his 41st birthday with a win on the Mark Riley-trained Devils Force in the Chandler Macleod Hcp (1200m).
"I feel sharper than I was when I was 31," Boss quipped.
A group of punters lined the fence and sang happy birthday to Boss as he returned to scale on the Al Maher four-year-old.