WS-bred The Mansman class above rivals

Improving four-year-old The Mansman added to his tidy record this afternoon when he proved far superior to his rivals at Murray Bridge.

The Waikato Stud-bred son of Almanzor has now two of his last three starts for trainer Phillip Stokes and he’s also posted five runner-up finishes in his 10-start career.

The Mansman settled three back on the fence under rider Lachlan Neindorf and took advantage of a rails run into the straight to lengthen stride impressively and claim top honours in the 1400-metre contest by 1.3 lengths.

“It was a super win, but he still hasn’t put it altogether yet,” Neindorf said.

“We had a sweet run and as soon as he got to the front, he was complacent.”

He was offered on behalf of Waikato Stud by Sledmere Stud at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale where he was sold to DGR Thoroughbred Services and Stokes for A$330,000 with the Matamata farm remaining in the ownership group.

He is a son of the Savabeel mare Hurry, who is out of an unraced three-quarter sister to the late multiple Group 1 winner and successful sire Sacred Falls.

The pedigree page also features the Group 2-winning half-siblings Splurge (Savabeel) and Shopaholic (Pins).

The dam had an Ocean Park colt last season and is due to foal this season to Ardrossan.