by just over a length, with Rumpus Room a further length behind.
Bon Hoysted was faced with a dilemma. The target was firmly the Blue Diamond Stakes in three weeks’ time. A victory in the Mollison would have seen Manikato’s prize money catapult to a level that would escape ballot for the feature event. However, the second-place reward of $1300 only lifted the tally to $2470. With a limited number of places available in the Blue Diamond, it was vital to have the earnings to make the cut-off. For Manikato, a country maiden win and a city placing wasn’t going to be enough to guarantee a start.
There was a plan B, which required Manikato to be at Flemington on Valentine’s Day. Another race down the straight course over 1000 metres beckoned. Hoysted was risking a similar outcome to what had occurred in the Mollison, leaving him with a potentially weary horse and no Blue Diamond start. But if this were to be his champion, a positive result would be forthcoming.
Manikato donned the number one saddlecloth and led the field out for the first race of the day: the Delina Handicap, which was run before midday. Twelve challengers cantered off to the starting gates with him, many with the same dreams as Bon Hoysted and owner Mal Seccull.
In the betting ring, the modest gathering was in full cry. The final few minutes leading up to a race were the busiest as bookies exchanged receipt tickets for cash. Bookmakers spruiked but punters baulked at the 1/2 that was on offer. With little business done, the price drifted to 8/13 as the field loaded. Many abstained from betting, simply content to see if Manikato could win without risking large sums of money for a small return.
Manikato began smartly. There’d been some discussion between Hoysted and Gary Willetts about letting another horse take the lead early, which would give the gelding a breather and get him to chase instead of being chased. Manikato had relished it in trackwork but had not yet had the opportunity to race in that manner.
However, the brilliance Manikato showed in the first fifty metres gave no runner a chance to be ahead of him. Manikato easily led and unlike ten days ago, every runner followed the chestnut down to the inside half of the track. They were at the mercy of the short-priced favourite. Willetts controlled the tempo of the race. It wasn’t fierce and relentless throughout—more a cruising speed that was uncomfortable for most to maintain.
With 400 metres to go, Willetts loosened his hold and Manikato surged forwards. Only one horse was able to keep pace. Turf Ruler was a 14/1 chance following an inauspicious debut in the Mollison Handicap, but had learnt greatly from that experience and represented a significant threat. At the clocktower, the race was still to be won and Willetts asked for the final burst from Manikato. Within a few bounds, Turf Ruler’s hopes ended, his energy reserves depleted. With no other challengers coming, Willetts could afford to reduce the amount of vigour in the last 100 metres, and it was clear that the one-length winning margin could have been sizably more.
Manikato ran the 1000 metres in 58.3 seconds—over a second quicker than the other division of the Delina Handicap, which was run half an hour later and won by Hauberk (trained by Bon Hoysted’s brother, Bob).
The target vindicated, counting down to Victoria’s richest two-year-old race had commenced; it was eleven days away. Bon Hoysted kept Manikato to his training system but had everything crossed to ensure the horse stayed sound and healthy. Any seemingly innocuous leg knock, any cut or abrasion or virus could prevent Kato from lining up. The horse didn’t require any complex trackwork program to get him to the starting line, his three races having brought his fitness level to peak. It was now a matter of waiting for the day to arrive.
The Blue Diamond Stakes was still quite new to the Victorian racing calendar. The 1978 running of the race was the eighth since inception. First run in 1971, it had rapidly grown from a purse of under $15,000 to $80,500 (including trophies), making it the most lucrative race for juveniles in the state. Tommy Smith had already won the race twice, while Angus Armanasco, Colin Hayes, Ted Broadhurst and Bart Cummings had won the race previously, and were represented this year. It had become the banner race of a feature day and was now worth approximately twice the prize money of the Oakleigh Plate, and three times the value of the St George Stakes.
Understandably, there was high excitement in the Bon Hoysted stable in the week leading up to the race. The prestige of the occasion meant a new suit had been ordered for Bon, while Leeanne Smith was fitted with new jodhpurs and a pair of long boots.
Two days out, Manikato rounded off his preparation for the race with a brisk gallop at Epsom.
‘I think we will win on Saturday. He just keeps on improving,’ Gary Willetts announced to Hoysted as he dismounted. The trainer desperately hoped his rider was right, but deep within he was filled with nervousness and anxiety.
Later that morning, the final field with the barrier draw was released. Manikato drew twelve in an eighteen-horse field. All connected with the horse knew he would have the necessary speed to offset any barrier drawn, but twelve was close to ideal.
Early markets suggested it to be an open race with many horses carrying winning form. Karaman was unbeaten in three starts, including the victory in the Mollison over Manikato. Caledonian Planet had won five of his six starts and had Roy Higgins to pilot him. Shannara was one of eight fillies to line-up. She’d impressively won both of her starts—one at Caulfield and one at Flemington, while in Pacifica’s previous start he’d thrashed his rivals in his home state of South Australia. Embasadora and Rumpus Room were amongst the other entrants and were conceded at least some chance at winning. Manikato was priced at 7/1, such was the depth of two-year-old talent engaged to compete.
* * *
A comfortable, mid-twenties day was absorbed by the 24,972 racegoers attending the 1978 Blue Diamond Stakes at Caulfield. A fast-rated track was a surprise to nobody given the time of year. The favourite in each of the first three races had been beaten as punters cast their bets on the Blue Diamond (which was race four and due at 2.55pm).
Manikato had not upset anyone with his behaviour. Since arriving at the track he had quietly stood in his tie-up stall for over an hour. In that time he had remained obedient while saddled before being led around a back parade ring in a similar fashion to his trackwork routine. As he headed into the mounting enclosure, he was a powerhouse ball of muscle. He had veins outlining his hindquarters, a barrel that readily displayed his ribs and shoulders that rippled with every step he walked. While most of his competitors still had plenty of physical growth ahead of them, Manikato looked close to the finished product. No other horse matched some of the attributes he already possessed.
‘He developed from an ugly duckling into a big, strong youngster,’2 said Willetts.
As the field headed to the start, there was a late betting plunge going on and it didn’t involve Manikato. Pacifica was heavily backed with every rails bookie at the track. His price tumbled from 7/2 into 5/2. Manikato’s price continued to drift, getting out to 12/1. In a race where the prize money was so lucrative to connections that betting was less significant, Bon Hoysted and Mal Seccull decided to modestly support Manikato only after seeing the double-figure odds available.
The gates sprung open and the eighteen two-year-olds were off on their scamper. There was immediate drama when an outsider, Fearless Duke struck trouble and lost his rider, Garry Murphy. Of the well-fancied runners, Embasadora suffered the most interference in that incident. Manikato was nowhere near the trouble; he was up front already. A filly named Toolern High was attacking, and even though she was off the fence, she was just ahead of Manikato as they headed towards the home turn. Shannara and Rumpus Room were just behind the leaders with the well-backed Pacifica very close to the speed with Karaman, who was wider on the track.
As they turned, Pacifica hung out noticeably, losing any momentum and opportunity. Manikato had used the rail to draw to a narrow lead from Toolern High, who was still trying to go toe-to-toe with him. Willetts was riding as if he had something extra in his back pocket, while Toolern High was at her top speed. They had raced away from the others. Karaman was battling hard and Embasadora—having recovered from the early trouble—was running on.
With 200 metres to run, it was time for Willetts to open up the gelding. The well-developed frame briskly dashed clear. Toolern