Nothing went to script in the lead up to the Listed Manawatu ITM ANZAC Mile (1600m), but when the race finally took its place on Sunday evening at Wanganui, the favourite in Khafre (American Pharoah) delivered on expectations.
The feature contest was initially set to be run on Friday at Awapuni, which was subsequently abandoned following a slip in the first race. Moved two days later across to the River City, the race was added to the end of a nine-race programme, but in the seventh event, a horse was stuck under the starting gates, which caused a lengthy delay.
Fortunately that runner escaped unscathed from the incident, and industry participants moved swiftly to run the remaining two races in the space of 23 minutes.
A number of scratchings decreased the field size down to eight in the feature, where the ever-consistent Khafre was the top pick at $3.30, aiming to build on a campaign that included a victory in the Listed Matamata Cup (1600m) and placing in the Gr.3 Phar Lap Trophy (1600m).
The Ralph Manning-trained gelding has an outstanding record at Wanganui and jumped well on this occasion for Jasmine Fawcett, who opted to push forward from a wide gate to sit outside Bedtime Story. The pair remained in their respective positions through the running and put the pressure on turning for home, where Khafre got the edge on Bedtime Story in the final 50m, striding clear to score with Fall For Cindy powering through to take the runner-up position.
While Friday’s abandonment was disappointing, it meant that Fawcett picked up the ride on the son of American Pharoah, having been suspended at the earlier date. Having guided him on six previous occasions including in the Matamata Cup, Fawcett was confident he would play a major role in the $80,000 event.
“I went into the race quite confident, knowing that he can handle a nice track and is an on-pace runner,” she said. “I did expect to lead, but racing doesn’t always go the way you expect, so I was happy to take a sit outside the leader.
“I think Ralph Manning would have had him pretty prepared for anything, but in my favour, going to Wanganui meant that I got to ride him.
“He’s gotten better with age, Ralph Manning has done a great job with him as he was a little bit naughty in his younger days. Now, he’s like riding a schoolmaster.”
The five-year-old has now earned just shy of $300,000 in stakes for connections, having been a $155,000 purchase by Manning at the National Yearling Sales in 2021 when sold out of the draft of Phoenix Park.
Out of a High Chapparal mare La Dama, Khafre’s grand-dam is Group Two-winning mare Star Affair, who is a half-sister to champion galloper The Jewel.
