Manikato quartet set to run for O’Brien
Irish horse U S Navy Flag will be among the entries for the G1 Manikato Stakes at the Valley.
A jump-out at Werribee involving Irish trainer Aidan O’Brien’s sprinters will determine how many starters he will have in the Group One Manikato Stakes.
US Navy Flag, Spirit Of Valour, Fleet Magic and Intelligence Cross are all scheduled to contest the 1200m-sprint at Moonee Valley on Friday night.
Intelligence Cross’s participation is dependent on him passing a barrier test in a jump-out on Monday after he stood flat-footed and missed the start in the Schillaci Stakes at Caulfield on October 13.
Racing Victoria stewards ruled the gelding must get their approval in a jump-out before racing again.
TJ Comerford, travelling foreman for O’Brien, said the plan was to run all four sprinters depending on how Intelligence Cross begins.
“He has to do a stewards’ thing tomorrow,” Comerford said.
“We’re going to jump U S Navy Flag, we’re going to jump his lead horse and we’re going to jump Intelligence Cross.”
Intelligence Cross was joined by Spirit Of Valour and Fleet Review in the Schillaci Stakes with Spirit Of Valour performing best of the trio, finishing second to Ball Of Muscle.
Fleet Review was ninth with Intelligence Cross tailing the field home.
“Fleet Review ran a little bit below par last week but I’ve just seen a bit of a change in him during the past week and I expect him to run better,” Comerford said.
“Spirit Of Valour came out of the race bouncing and U S Navy Flag had no race while Intelligence Cross missed the start.”
U S Navy Flag joined the trio at Werribee soon after finishing ninth behind Redzel in The Everest at Randwick on October 13.
The July Cup winner was put straight to work following his arrival in Victoria to prepare for Friday night’s race.
“He’s good. The lads are happy with him,” Comerford said.
“He came off the box the other day and was on the track within half-an-hour of getting here.”
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