Manuel makes it a McEvoy double

Trainer Tony McEvoy is hoping Manuel can finally deliver on the promise he has shown since his two-year-old days.

Now a four-year-old, Manuel notched his fourth career with a tough performance at Morphettville on Saturday, April 14 and in the process gave McEvoy a winning double having scored earlier in the day with Over Exposure.

Starting a $4.60, Manuel, ridden by Jamie Kah, who also scored on Over Exposure, went to the front 300 metres out and was good enough to hold his rivals off to take out the Hughes Limousine Handicap (1200m).

Kah had the gelding just off the speed getting to the home turn before taking him clear to score by a long head from Waging War ($31) with Arkham Knight ($20) a half-length away third.

“As a young horse, Dad (Tony McEvoy) believed Manuel had an exciting future,” Calvin McEvoy, assistant trainer said.

“But he had issues, some surgery and no luck in some races which prevented him from showing his true ability.

“Horses don’t lose their ability, and the decision was made to geld him, and hopefully now he will go on to show his talent.

“He still over-raced today but was good enough to win.”

Today’s win was Manuel’s fourth from 13 starts and took his stakes to $159,250.