Menari Primed for Big Spring

Trainer Gerald Ryan is confident that richly talented colt Menari (Snitzel- Isurava, by General Nediym) can start to fulfil his undoubted potential when he opens his spring campaign in tomorrow’s Listed Rosebud (1100m) at Rosehill Gardens.

The George Altomonte-owned 3YO show glimpses of brilliance during his juvenile season when a luckless second to Pariah in the Gr3 Canonbury Stakes, and fourth (he was third past the post but relegated on protest) behind star fillies She Will Reign, Frolic and Tulip in the Gr1 Golden Slipper.However, wet tracks dulled his explosive acceleration which meant he wasn’t seen at his best.

“He has definitely grown and is a lot stronger again. He is not ‘colty’ and seems to be focused too,” Ryan told racingnsw.com.au. “He has always been a big horse but has started filling into himself. He is 16’2 hands high and weighs about 570-odd kilograms.”

Ryan added: “His trackwork has been solid but he is not an over worker. There is a lot of hype about him so to see him back on a good track we’ll see if that hype is warranted.”

After Saturday, Menari will run second-up in the Gr3 San Domenico Stakes (1100m) at Rosehill on August 26 but beyond that, Ryan is keeping his options open.

“At the moment we’re just treating him like a sprinter because he is going to have two 1100m races and then we’ll play it by ear from there,” he said.

Menari is a $3 second favourite with Tab for the Rosebud behind unbeaten colt Siege Of Quebec at $2.90.

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