Manawanui and fellow Sydney Guineas fancy Helmet scored impressive wins in the Stan Fox and Guineas Prelude respectively, underlining their claims.
Helmet remains on the second line of TAB Sportsbet markets for the group one at $3.60 with Manawanui the $7 fourth pick.
Splitting those two is the Peter Moody-trained Moment Of Change ($5.50).
Smart Missile retained favouritism at $3.30, despite his unplaced run against the older horses in the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield.
Jockey Brett Prebble, a late replacement for the injured Glen Boss, was forced to settle the colt last from his wide draw after he missed the start.
He looked for inside runs in the straight but Smart Missile never threatened, although he hit the line nicely.
Manawanui will have about 10 days to settle in and get a feel of the Caulfield track
He will be stabled at the Guineas venue and Leemon will give him a handful of gallops to acquaint him with the circuit before raceday.
"He will go straight into the Guineas, he will probably have three or four good looks at the track."
It will be Manawanui's first time interstate and Leemon plans to make a couple of stop overs on the way to break up the trip.
He figures the hardest part will come at the beginning.
"He's OK when you're driving but he hates stopping in traffic," Leemon said.
"We bring him here to the races with a pony and we'll take a pony with us to Melbourne as well."
Manawanui's rider Glyn Schofield will make flying visits to Melbourne to accompany the gelding in his work.
- AAP
