Racing: Manning rethinks programme

Bruce Almighty gave his connections a pleasant surprise and punters a nasty shock with his Saturday win. Photo / Sarah Ivey

Bay of Plenty trainer Stuart Manning is being forced to have a rethink with his remarkable thoroughbred Bruce Almighty.

The gelding, 8 next month, scored an upset win in the $65,000 Opunake Cup at New Plymouth on Saturday and put himself into contention for the group three $100,000 Winter Cup at Riccarton in Christchurch on August 6.

Manning, from Tauranga, had not entered Bruce Almighty for the feature but all has changed because of this win and part of the winning prize being free travel for the horse to Christchurch for the race.

The victory over 1400m was Bruce Almighty's first at a distance under 1600m, his first from nine attempts in heavy ground and Manning said he would have to seriously consider making the late entry payment of $2300 due on Wednesday.

"He's never really been adept on heavy ground but the way he went today you have to start changing your views," Manning said on Saturday.

New Plymouth has become one of Bruce Almighty's favourite tracks, with his latest victory his fifth in seven starts at the course, and that was one of the factors that gave Manning some hope before the race, even though he was not expecting to win.

"I knew he was well, I knew he was working well and I knew he liked New Plymouth. But I also thought the distance and condition of the track would be against him," he said.

"But what a great little horse. He's now won at distances from 1400 to 2400m, he's won eight cup races and probably been placed in as many again."

Heading the list of wins are the group two $100,000 Waikato Gold Cup (2400m) last December and the group three $100,000 weight-for-age Canterbury Gold Cup (2000m) 14 months ago. Other wins include the Taupo Cup, Greymouth Cup, Gore Cup, Taranaki Cup and Marlborough Cup.

Bruce Almighty's record now reads 75 starts for 15 wins and 11 placings with Saturday's winning purse of $40,625 taking his earnings to $380,000.

Manning, who races Bruce Almighty with partner Kaye Durrant, bought the horse for a mere $2500 as a yearling. The youngster had been grazing on the property of a friend who alerted Manning.

"He said the horse was a bit small but that he was going for sale on the internet the next day for $2500.

"I said, 'What's wrong with him?' He said nothing other than being a little small but that he was growing. I went over the next day and bought him."

An influencing factor in the sale was his sire. Manning said he had had several other horses by Deputy Governor, including one he bought for $1300 and sold to Hong Kong for $100,000 after two trial placings.

Bruce Almighty has become one of the most durable gallopers around. On average, he has raced nearly twice a month for the past 19 months and Manning said there was little point in sending him out for a spell.

"He hates being left out of anything. We just keep plodding along and that's the way he's happiest."

Bruce Almighty settled handy on the inner on Saturday and had reached the lead at the top of the home straight with rider Robert Hannam sticking to the rails.

The challengers loomed soon after but Bruce Almighty strode clear to score by 4 lengths to pay $20.90.

Bases Loaded fought well for second after being handy throughout and Sacha was a nose away third, running on stoutly from towards the back.

A length back fourth was the favourite, I Am Sam, who was camped behind the leaders with 600m to run, loomed up wide on the home turn but did not kick on.NZPA