The burgeoning career of
Max Comley took another step forward at
Doncaster when
Manganese took her unbeaten record to four in the Virgin Bet Every Saturday Money Back Fillies’ Juvenile Hurdle.
Based at Sutton Veny in Wiltshire, Comley is one of the youngest trainers in Britain at aged just 27. But he is already operating at a healthy strike-rate and was winning at Listed level for the first time.
Manganese (11-10 favourite) had won a bumper in France before being bought by current connections, and wins at Leicester and Catterick had marked her down as above average.
Her task was made easier when Gordon Elliott’s Highland Crystal unshipped her jockey on the way to the start and was withdrawn, although she still had to be tough to see off Nicky Henderson’s Manlaga by three-quarters of a length.
“The sky is the limit with her, I said that after she won her first race,” said Comley.
“You just wouldn’t know with her as she shows you nothing at home, but there she was going along in front on her own with her ears pricked and when the other one came to her she galloped to the line.
“She’s a hard horse to read but we know she’s good, I can tell you that bit for free!
“She’s obviously a lot better than a juvenile and one day she’ll be a cracking broodmare.”
He added: “She’s in the Triumph and she’ll also be in the mares’ novice, but we’ll enjoy today before making any decisions.”