Manikato’s fifth Reid Stakes

Press, 1 February 1983, Page 32

Manikato’s fifth Reid Stakes

NZPA Melbourne Manikato won the $50,000 William Reid Stakes at Moonee Valley yesterday for the fifth consecutive year, leaving only a passing interest in the remaining three races. Manikato yvon by a half head from Torbek, running the 1200 m in a faster time than any of his previous wins. As the crowd roared for Manikato, his trainer, Bob Hoysted, wept openly. “He just makes racing beautiful,” were the only words Hoysted could manage before the impact of the occasion overcame him. Manikato’s jockey, Gary Willetts, took over and he too was charged with emotion. “He really had to find something extra today — he was in real trouble,” Willetts said. “Just when I thought there was nothing left he surged under me.” Willetts allowed the big gelding to stride to an early lead. Manikato still held a handy advantage coming to the top of the straight, where Willetts first showed signs of desperation. Qubeau had raced up to his shoulder firmly pocketing the Sydney sprinter, Ideal Planet. Torbek was beginning to wind up out wide. Manikato had Qubeau’s measure 100 m out but Torbek was taking ground off the champion with every stride, while Peter Cook, on Ideal Planet, was searching for galloping room on the fence. The post, however, arrived just in time for Manikato to take the 532.500 first prize, swelling his career earnings to 51,048,210.