It is exciting times for Oratorio fans at the moment as his first foals are born in South Africa, and in the rest of the racing world, his offspring just keep on winning. One of these is the comeback win after a nearly a year of lay-off for Manawanui, a 6 yo gelding who won the Gr Bill Ritchie Handicap of over 1400 m yesterday in fine style.
Jockey Tye Angland and trainer Ron Leemon never lost faith in this horse, even after a leg injury which led to a year of recovery. But the right track convinced his management to take the chance and the 2011 Gr 1 winner showed what he was made of.
Well done to the owners, trainer, jockey and this super horse himself – we look forward to more of the same.