Gai Waterhouse's confidence in two-year-old Manhattan Rain has been further boosted by Real Saga's winning return to racing.An Encosta De Lago half brother to super sire Redoute's Choice, Manhattan Rain beat Real Saga in a recent barrier trial ahead of his anticipated debut at Rosehill next weekend.Waterhouse was an interested observer when Golden Slipper second favourite Real Saga won at Randwick on Saturday, beating her entrant Viking Legend who ran third in the trial.The Waterhouse-trained Mo
Gai Waterhouse's confidence in two-year-old Manhattan Rain has been further boosted by Real Saga's winning return to racing.
An Encosta De Lago half brother to super sire Redoute's Choice, Manhattan Rain beat Real Saga in a recent barrier trial ahead of his anticipated debut at Rosehill next weekend.
Waterhouse was an interested observer when Golden Slipper second favourite Real Saga won at Randwick on Saturday, beating her entrant Viking Legend who ran third in the trial.
The Waterhouse-trained More Joyous remained favourite for the Golden Slipper despite Real Saga's win and she had no doubt that was the how it should be.
"Manhattan Rain will run at Rosehill next week with Blake Shinn to ride," Waterhouse said.
"He beat Real Saga in the trial so things are looking good.
"He and More Joyous are both superior horses and are both bred in the purple.
"The have impeccable bloodlines and you wouldn't find two better bred horses."
More Joyous is by More Than Ready out of Oaks winner Sunday Joy, a half-sister to multiple Group One winner Tuesday Joy, also trained by Waterhouse.
Although Redoute's Choice has made his name at stud, he also had a huge impact on the track with four Group One wins from just 10 starts.
Among them was the 1999 Blue Diamond Stakes which elevated him to favouritism for the Golden Slipper but he was scratched just hours before the race with an elevated temperature.
The $3.5 million Golden Slipper (1200m) on April 4 is the aim for both More Joyous and Manhattan Rain and will more than likely be the first time they meet on the track.
"They don't have to meet until the race," Waterhouse said.
"I don't think there is much between them and on the day it will come down to which one has the best barrier and which one's jockey is at the top of his game."
Nash Rawiller rode More Joyous to her impressive debut win at Rosehill just over a week ago, a performance that elevated the filly to the top of Golden Slipper betting.
She is currently the $5 favourite with Colin Tidy's betchoice.com ahead of Real Saga who is at $7.50, in from $9 while Manhattan Rain is a $19 chance.