Champion trainer Chris Waller remains confident that Manzoice can rediscover his top form as the 2022 Group 1 Victoria Derby (2500m) winner prepares for his comeback in Saturday’s Premier’s Cup Prelude (1800m) at Randwick.
“He will be the first of our spring runners,” Waller said.
“The stayers, you’ve got to get them up and going early. They will go there (on Saturday) and then to another race in two or three weeks’ time, like a Wyong Cup, then you’re just about at the Metropolitan.”
Since his 2022 Classic victory, Manzoice has been gelded and has yet to win again, though he did show promise last season with a runner-up finish in the Group 3 N E Manion Cup (2400m) and a fifth place in the Listed Randwick City Stakes (2000m).
“He has shown glimpses of form,” Waller noted.
“He’s first-up over 1800 metres, but in his trials, we have been trying to ride him a bit closer. He’s a lovely horse.
“He shows us a lot more at home, but if you’ve won a Derby, you don’t just lose it completely.
“We’ve still got hope that he can come back, and he will head towards a Metropolitan.”
Horse racing news