By Heather Anderson
Already a 2 1/2-length winner in her unveiling over this Meydan strip going 1400 metres on Dec. 22, Manama Gold (Star Guitar–Charged Cotton, by Dehere) doubled her tally with an imperious 9 1/4-length victory in the Cocoa Beach S. Presented By Jebel Ali Port over a mile there on Friday and became the latest 'TDN Rising Star'.
The Victorious runner, trained by Fawzi Nass, raced in between rivals on the front end from the chute and dropped back for a breather rounding the bend as fellow front-runner Lahfaty (Mitole) asserted while pressed by Frost At Dawn (Frosted). Adrie de Vries urged his mount to quicken at the head of the straight and she duly obliged with a strong turn of foot, as they shifted out into the centre of the track to challenge in the lane. The chestnut forged past the leading duo and strode clear to win with authority. Three-and-a-half lengths separated the second, Lahfaty, and third, Kibo Misaki (Girvin).
“I got a little bit of pressure on the turn; it got a little bit tight,” said de Vries. “But once Jim's horse [Crowley, Frost At Dawn] came past me then it was just a matter of straightening up and she did the job pretty easy.
“I didn't want to be too hard on her, but I wanted to teach her something. Once she hits the front she doesn't do much–she's just having a look around. I guess that's a good thing.”
Part of the Taylor Made consignment at the 2022 Keeneland September Sale, the chestnut caught the eye of Lane Richardson, who shelled out $100,000 on behalf of Kevin Knuckley. Richardson Bloodstock re-offered Manama Gold at the Ocala Breeders' Sales Company Spring Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training in March of 2023 after she breezed a furlong in :10 1/5. Her value doubled to $200,000, when she was marked as sold to Oliver St Lawrence Bloodstock.
Already a half-sister to the stakes-placed Sethamee Street (Street Sense) and a full-sister to multiple stakes winner Ova Charged (Star Guitar), who has earned her black-type accolades in Lousiana where their sire stands, Manama Gold has a half-sister by Not This Time born last year. Her dam was barren to the cover of Star Guitar for this spring.
4th-Meydan, AED300,000, Cond., 1-19, 3yo, f, 1600m, 1:38.40, ft.
MANAMA GOLD f, 3, Star Guitar
1st Dam: Charged Cotton (SW-US, $162,741),
by Dehere
2nd Dam: Lightning Lydia, by Broad Brush
3rd Dam: Bye The Bye, by Balzac
($100,000 Ylg '22 KEESEP; $200,000 2yo '23 OBSSPR). Lifetime record: 2-2-0-0, AED306,000. Click for the ERA chart and video. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
O-Victorious. B-Brittlyn, Inc. (LA). T-Fawzi Nass.
@AbdullaNass_ 's unbeaten daughter of Star Guitar dominates the Cocoa Beach Stakes Presented by Jebel Ali Port
Make no mistake, this is a proper filly #DubaiCarnival pic.twitter.com/UB0Yh7OL0R
— Dubai Racing Club (@RacingDubai) January 19, 2024
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