Mana Manu earned a Brisbane winter carnival campaign after landing his first win for Gold Coast trainer Marcus Wilson at Doomben on Saturday.
Mana Manu, ridden by Ryan Wiggins, powered home to down Adorabubble by one length in the Tattersall’s Arcade Open Handicap over 1200m running a slashing 1.09.23 and the last 600m in 33.92
Flying Riddle made up good ground late to finish third, a further three-quarters of a length away.
“If he pulls up well he’ll have his next run in the Gold Coast Stakes which is worth $100,000 in two weeks then I’ll put him away for the winter,” Wilson said.
“It was a well deserved win as he’s been a bit unlucky for us a few times.
“He raced well without winning for us last campaign and his first three runs this preparation have been great.
“If he drew a gate in the (Listed) Falvelon Quality last start he would have run second or possibly have won.”
His finished top five 9 times from 10 starts since joing the Wilson stable including his impressive win and 4 other placings at Doomben in Saturday Metropolitan company.
“He’s a good horse but needs a dry track,” he said.
“He’s probably a little vulnerable past 1200 metres but he might make a nice horse for the Ramornie Handicap at Grafton.
“There’s also a few Listed races in the winter here that I'll look at for him.”