Manikato Stakes Night (Moonee Valley) – October 21st

Ladbrokes 55 Second Challenge Heat 3

(BM78 Handicap - 955m)

Post Race Details & Comments

Winning Horse: Direct (Aus)

4yoG Siyouni (Fr) - Upfront (USA)(War Front (USA))

14 starts - 3 wins 5 seconds 3 thirds $226225

Black Type Placings

3rd G2 Rosehill Iron Jack Silver Slipper Stks 1100m (2021)

Other Wins

1st Mornington Ibuild Group Handicap 1000m (2022)

1st Cranbourne Hygain Mdn Plate 1000m (2021)

Other Placings

3rd Sandown-Hillside Thoroughbred Club (Bm64) 1000m (2022)

2nd Ballarat Hygain Winners Choice (Bm64) 1000m (2022)

2nd Moonee Valley Ladbrokes 55 Sec Challenge-C1 955m (2022)

2nd Flemington The Schweppervescence Plate 1000m (2021)

3rd Caulfield Pinchapoo Plate 1000m (2021)

2nd Moonee Valley Mia Kleer Hand Sanitiser Hcp 1000m (2021)

2nd Moonee Valley Ladbrokes Plate 1000m (2020) (Debut Run)

Race Result:

1st: Direct (Lloyd Kennewell/Zac Spain) - $6

2nd: Taunting (Michael Hickmott/Damian Lane) - $2.60F
3rd: Ojosan (David Bourne/Ethan Brown) - $13

Winning Time: 55.23 Last 600m: N/A

Margins: ¾L x Head

Winning Trainer: Lloyd Kennewell

“Two starts for two wins as a gelding. Maybe that’s what I need as well. It is good to see. I thought it was deserved for him to be favourite tonight. He was a good thing tonight and we came here super confident.

“I worry when the market is trending against you a bit because the punters seems to know but then the money came for him which is good to see.

“I was supremely confident. He’s run second to Paulele, second to Home Affairs, second to Profiteer… come on, not the time is here.

“Zac Spain, twelve out of ten ride. He’s like a son to me (when he was) apprenticed to me in Adelaide.

“He’s been well educated and the proof is in the pudding the way he’s riding now.

“It’s great to the win for these owners. We really thought he had something and hopefully we’ll see him at Flemington now.”

Gelding: “He’s a son of Siyouni and there’s American owners in this horse, and a lot of long standing owners that have been with me as well.”

Were they hard to convince: “It probably took an extra prep than what I wanted. The horse probably got a little bit dirty on his racing and that showed. Tonight he was the best of the yard, I thought he was a good thing and it’s good when it works out.”

Winning Jockey: Zac Spain

“He is (a different horse) now that he’s two-stone lighter. Getting his mind on the job and his form last prep was through the roof.

“He ran second to Profiteer and beat Enthaar home. He’s a very nice horse and it is good to see him do what we thought he could do.”

On the run: “He always flies the barriers. I was happy to sit outside Young Liam but the speed was too much so I was happy to take the sit. He relaxed beautifully underneath me and he was never going to get beaten, really.

“He traveled into the race so sweetly. He wanted to lay out on the turn which he can do, but he was strong right through the line and he’s on an upward trajectory.”

Connection with Lloyd Kennewell: “If it wasn’t for Lloyd I wouldn’t be in Melbourne. I started my apprenticeship with the Kennewell family and to be still riding winners is fantastic.”