Jockey Keagan Latham rapt with Group 1 winner Manaal after her trial return

The Sires’ Produce Stakes winner was one of several autumn contenders to step out at Royal Randwick on Tuesday morning.

Manaal finished third in her heat at Royal Randwick trials. Picture: Jeremy Ng/Getty Images

Group 1 filly Manaal got a big tick of approval while autumn contenders Mayfair, Bel Merci, Schwarz and Espionage all impressed on an important morning of Royal Randwick trials on Tuesday.

Jockey Keagan Latham did the steering on Michael Freedman’s Manaal in her first public hitout since the spring as she stepped out over 740m.

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Manaal, winner of last year’s Sires’ Produce Stakes, was given an easy time of it but had plenty in the tank as she finished in third, two lengths off Golden Rose placegetter Mayfair, which produced a strong piece of work on speed.

“Manaal felt enormous,” Latham said.

“I think she has come back in really good order.

Golden Rose placegetter Mayfair leads all the way to win a Randwick trial on Tuesday, downing The New Sinatra with Group 1 winner Manaal in third. @tabcomaupic.twitter.com/LoI4rDs23o

— Racing NSW (@racing_nsw) January 13, 2025

“She has always been a quirky little thing but most certainly doesn’t like getting beaten or anything getting in front of her.

“She jumped, travelled nicely and we were always planning to give her a soft trial in her first one back but I didn’t have to do anything on her and was pretty much a passenger.”

Brilliant Flight Stakes winner Lady Shenandoah was scratched from the same heat as Manaal and Mayfair but is set to trial at Warwick Farm on Thursday instead.

The Group 1 Surround Stakes (1400m) is on the horizon for the top fillies in March.

Golden Slipper contender Bel Merci was given an easy time in her first public appearance since winning the Group 3 Gimcrack Stakes in October.

King's Legacy filly Open Secret runs down her @JTRacingRwik stablemate and Gimcrack Stakes winner Bel Merci with Mythology running into third in a Randwick trial on Tuesday. @tabcomaupic.twitter.com/jLaOzMYmes

— Racing NSW (@racing_nsw) January 13, 2025

The John Thompson-trained filly led for the majority of her 740m heat before being narrowly edged out late by unraced stablemate Open Secret.

Thompson revealed to Racenet earlier this week his plans to target the Group 2 Silver Slipper Stakes first-up with Bel Merci, which will trial again before her return on February 22 at Rosehill Gardens.

Group 2 Missile Stakes victor Schwarz laid down a marker for his autumn campaign with an eye catching win in a 1050m heat.

"Schwarz is absolutely toying with them."@JohnOSheaRacing's Missile Stakes winner, with @mcacajamez up, does it easily in a Randwick trial on Tuesday accounting for Yiska with Wategos in third. @tabcomaupic.twitter.com/4UaYXPe9Wi

— Racing NSW (@racing_nsw) January 13, 2025

The son of Zoustar was impressive, running away from rivals to score by 3-3/4 lengths with a date with the Group 2 Australia Stakes (1200m) at The Valley on January 24 on the radar first-up.

There was a lot to like about Epsionage’s effort with the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained colt finished a close second to Insurrection in a 740 heat.

Espionage was strong through the line and is looking to make up for lost time after missing the entire Spring Carnival after suffering a leg injury in the lead up to his return.

There will be no shortage of stars at Thursday morning’s trial session, headlined by the return of Via Sistina.

Originally published as Jockey Keagan Latham rapt with Group 1 winner Manaal after her trial return