Trainer William Haggas plans to back up gun import Post Impressionist in the Group 1 Tancred Stakes

Post Impressionist was a brilliant winner of the N E Manion Cup last Saturday, and is an early favourite to win the Tancred Stakes at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday. But will he run?

Post Impressionist is the favourite for the Tancred Stakes. Picture: Jeremy Ng-Getty Images

Star import Post Impressionist remains firmly in the hunt to back up in Saturday’s Group 1 $1.5m Tancred Stakes (2400m) at Rosehill Gardens after impressing since his dominant Australian debut last weekend.

Post Impressionist had the perfect introduction to Australian racing with a classy victory in last Saturday’s Group 3 N E Manion Cup (2400m) at Rosehill Gardens.

Trainer William Haggas had originally planned to use the Manion Cup as a springboard to the Sydney Cup three weeks later, but is giving serious consideration to backing up the son of Teofilo in this week’s main event at Rosehill Gardens.

Post Impressionist was among the nominations for the Tancred Stakes on Monday with connections set to wait until later this week to make a final decision.

The five-year-old has so far ticked every box since his Manion Cup win.

"He's come from last and was different class."

Here's the Sydney Cup favourite! @WilliamHaggas wins a third Manion Cup, and @TomMarquand his second, with Post Impressionist far too good in the Group 3 at Rosehill from Manzoice and Almania. @tabcomaupic.twitter.com/ZCLjpbFj7c

— Racing NSW (@racing_nsw) March 23, 2024

“We are pretty happy with him, he has come out of the race well,” Haggas stable representative Issy Paul said.

“He is a bright and happy. He is eating and drinking well which is the main thing.

“He didn’t lose too much weight which was great especially because it was a pretty hot day.

“We will see how he goes for the rest of the week but he has had a couple of easy days so he just walked on Sunday and Monday, and then I will jump back on him on Tuesday and we will take it from there.”

Post Impressionist is a $2.80 favourite in TAB All In betting for the Tancred Stakes from Buckaroo and Military Mission (both $6).

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Haggas’ stayer is also a $2.80 favourite for the Sydney Cup where he will now have to carry 52kg after being given a 2kg penalty for winning last Saturday’s N E Manion Cup.

The Sydney Cup takes place a fortnight after the Tancred Stakes on day two of The Championships at Royal Randwick.

A total of 18 nominations were put forward for the Tancred Stakes including three-year-old colts Tom Kitten and Ceolwulf.

Both colts ran in last Saturday’s Group 1 Rosehill Guineas (2000m) with Ceolwulf finishing runner up to Riff Rocket while Tom Kitten finished sixth.

Tom Marquand would ride Post Impressionist again on Saturday. Picture: Jeremy Ng-Getty Images

Ceolwulf’s trainer Joe Pride confirmed it’s unlikely his three-year-old runs as he plans to stick to his plan to run the colt in the Australian Derby instead, while stablemate Stockman would likely need a wet track to line up for the second time in eight days.

Premier trainer Chris Waller could give Ranvet Stakes placegetter Buckaroo his chance on the back up with Sydney Cup bound stablemates More Felons and Selino among the nominations.

A list of 15 three-year-old fillies have nominated for the Group 1 $750,000 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) on the same card.

Kiwi sensation Orchestral is the early $2.10 favourite as she prepares to go head-to-head with VRC Oaks winner Zardozi ($3.50) in the first of two Group 1 battles this autumn.

The Group 2 Tulloch Stakes (2000m) drew 19 nominations, the Group 2 Emancipation Stakes (1500m) has 13 and the Group 3 Doncaster Prelude has a massive 32 entries.

Originally published as Trainer William Haggas plans to back up gun import Post Impressionist in the Group 1 Tancred Stakes