(31) Manikato Stakes-G1

Moonee Valley. September 14 $357,000. SWFA. 1200m.

1. SPINNING HILL (P Payne 55) trainer: G H Walter.

2. Bel Esprit (S Seamer 51) b c 3 Royal Academy (USA) - Bespoken, by Vain.

3. Mistegic (D Oliver 57.5) b g 4 Strategic - Volcanic Mist, by Volcanic Prince.

3/4 len. Neck. 1m 10.52s. 9 strs.

SPINNING HILL (6-c)

Bay mare foaled 1996

Breeder: Mr O P Tait, Mrs S S Nivison, NSW.

Owners: O P Tait & Mrs J G Nivison.

Click here for Tesio pedigree

Werk Nick Rating: A+

GP Inbreeding: Rego x 4f, 5f.

Age	Starts	Wins	2nds	3rds
2	1	-	-	-
3	10	3	2	2
4	9	5	2	-
5	7	1	1	2
6	1	1	-	-
	28	10	5	4

Sire: DOLPHIN STREET (FR) - Bay 1990. Group I winner; 5 wins, Prix de la Foret-G1, Prix Maurice de Gheest-G3, Prix de Seine-et-Oise-G3, 3d July Cup-G1. From OR VISION (Prix Imprudence-LR). Family of SILENT SCREEN. To stud in Ireland and Australia in 1995. Shuttling to Independent Stallion Station, Toolern Vale, Vic. Sire in Ireland and Australia of 191 winners of $14.9 million inc SWs SPINNING HILL, ROAD TO SUCCESS, SONDA, FAPPIANO'S SON, SAO, MAGNIFIER, DOLYDILLE, MOLLY-O, BEYOND DISPUTE, SPs Neptune's Journey, Meridian Star, Berlioz, Pride of Dingle, Royal Season, Garden in the Rain, Bodfari Street, Shaye Spice, Isla Mauritia, Mastermind, Scabian, etc.

Dam

INCLINE (1989). Unraced. Dam of 6 foals, 4 raced, all winners-

93 Inclinaire, b f by Snippets. 2 wins at 1000m, 1207m.

95 Daninkling, b f by Danehill (USA). 4 wins, $134,195, 1000m-1300m, VATC Denise's Joy H, MVRC Big Fresh H, SAJC Kevern Klemich Memorial H, Rubiton Flying H, 3d SAJC Swettenham Stud S-G2, 4th SAJC Malaysian Airlines H-LR.

96 SPINNING HILL. 10 wins, $1,383,040, at 1000m, 1200m, MVRC Manikato S-G1, VRC Lightning S-G1, AJC Sapphire S-LR, Breeders' Classic-LR, STC Birthday Card H-LR, Research S-LR, AJC The Nivison-LR, Sapphire S-LR, Canon Colour H, Greek Young Matrons H, 2d BTC Doomben 10,000-G1, AJC T J Smith S-G2, Surround S-G2, Sapphire S-G3, VRC The Great Western-LR, 3d AJC T J Smith S-2, STC Concorde S-G3, AJC James H B Carr S-LR, 4th STC Theo Marks Quality S-G2, Darby Munro Quality S-LR.

97 Amber Valley, br f by Rustic Amber (IRE). 2 wins at 900m, 1000m.

99 Rainbow Hill, b f by Spectrum (IRE). Unraced.

01 (Unnamed) b c by Peinte Celebre (USA).

Slipped in 1994, 1998, 2000, 2002.

2nd Dam

Rise. 3 wins at 1200m, 1400m, AJC Kista H, Dunfermline H, Maltine H, 3d Canberra Black Opal S-G3. Three-quarter sister-in-blood to Langsyne. Dam of 8 living foals, 6 raced, all winners inc -

Super Structure. 6 wins, 1000m-1235m, VATC Orrong H, MVRC William Dunstan H, Chanak H, 4th VATC Florentino S-G3.

Sparklehorse. 3 wins at 1200m, 1600m, Waikato Amarula Wild H, Te Aroha Racing Supporters Club H, Avondale Maiden H.

Migrate. 14 wins, 1000m-1300m.

Pyramid. 8 wins, 1010m-1600m.

3rd Dam

BLUE MOUNTAIN. 6 wins, 5F-7f, AJC Widden S, Alison H, Crystal Bay H, STC Petersham H, VATC Mitcham H, Tatt (NSW) Furious S. 2nd AJC Gimcrack S, 3d VRC Bloodhorse Breeders' P. Sister-in-blood to Marquise. Dam of 8 foals, 7 raced, 6 winners inc -

GOLCONDA D'OR. 1 win at 1000m, AJC Canonbury S-LR.

Rise. See above.

Arrakis. 2 wins at 900m, STC Comalco H, Trafalgar Tours H.

Parure. 1 win at 1200m, AJC Prestige Liquor H.

4th Dam

HEIRLOOM. Joint Champion Australian 2YO Filly; 9 wins, 4-1/2f-8f, VATC 1000 Guineas, VRC Maribyrnong P, Mimosa S, AJC Widden S, Reginald Allen H, 2d VRC Craven A S, Tatts Tramway H, AJC Waratah H, Tatts (Q) W J Healy S, 3d AJC Epsom H. Sister to BAGUETTE (Australian Champion 2YO) and BIRTHRIGHT (dam of Marquise; grandam of SPINNING HILL); three-quarter sister-in-blood to FAR VISTA (dam of WILLOWY), Superego, and to the dam of Kowloon Way; half-sister to CABOCHON, BETELGEUSE, and to the dams of OF TWO CITIES, Sydney Carton, Jewel of Light, Diamond Day, Diamond Cutter. Dam of 5 foals, 4 raced, all winners inc -

BLUE MOUNTAIN. See above.

Memories. 2 wins at 1000m, 1200m at 2. VATC Mitcham H, Stansmore H. 2nd MVRC Victorian S. Dam of 7 named foals, 6 raced, 5 winners inc

Langsyne. 2 wins at 1100m. 3rd AJC Breeders P-G3.

Live On. 2 wins at 1000m, 1400m. AJC W Forrester H, STC Darling Harbour H. 2d Keith Mackay H, 3d AJC Reginald Allen H.

Lest We Forget. 2 wins at 1200m, 1250m. AJC Scobie Breasley S, STC Proud Miss H. Dam of -

Old Refrain. 2d VRC Maribyrnong Trial S-LR, VATC Mona Nursery-LR.

El Alamein. 13 wins 1000m to 2000m.

Forgotten. Started twice. Dam of

FORGOTTEN RULER. 8 wins, $218,055, 1200m-1600m, Kilmore Cup-LR, VATC Lord H, Welter H, SAJC Lockley's Tradition H.

Recollection. 4 wins at 1260m, 1600m.

Snuff Box. Won AJC Greenwick Juvenile H (5f). Dam of 5 winners inc-

Snuff. 7 wins, 900m-1400m, AJC Kemps Creek H, Welter H, STC Granville H, Flying Welter H, Queenscliff H, Welter H, Tiny Tots S, 2d STC Golden Slipper S, AJC Reginald Allen H, 3d AJC June S. Dam of 7 winners inc -

Whiff. 2 wins to 1550m, 2d Gosford Belle of the Turf S-LR. Dam of -

Wiggly Woo. 5 wins, $92,195, 1000m-1300m, AJC OKI Cup, Gloval Christmas H, De Bortoli Wines H, 2d VRC Let's Elope S-LR, 3d AJC Toy Show Quality H-LR.

Addictive. 8 wins 1000m-1400m, AJC R.A.N. H, STC Glebe H.

Pintari. 7 wins at 1000m, 1200m, QTC Novice H. Sire.

Aigrette. 3 wins at 900m, 1000m. Grandam of -

Scotty Locharber. 1 win at 1200m, Kingsgrove RSL H, 3d AJC Up and Coming S-G2.

There was huge confidence that boom Melbourne three-year-old Bel Esprit would win the Manikato Stakes, the first Group I race of the new season, the best opposition expected to come from the in form Mistegic.

Scott Seamer had Bel Esprit racing just behind the leader and sprinted well clear at the top of the straight. Spinning Hill had settled in last place and seemingly had no chance when starting her run at the 200 metres. In a superb performance she lifted brilliantly to overhaul Bel Esprit a few strides out and win going away by a widening three-quarters of a length. Mistegic also finished solidly to just miss second in an exciting finish. Patrick Payne rode a masterfully judged race on Spinning Hill, and has cemented a superb relationship with trainer Guy Walter since taking over the riding of Tie the Knot last autumn.

Trainer Guy Walter as with most of his horses has been very patient with this six-year-old mare who has improved each season. She won her first Group I last season in the Lightning Stakes at Flemington, and this was her first run since her Autumn campaign. Starting once as a late two-year-old Spinning Hill has raced only 27 times in her four seasons of racing to date. The 23 were all in stakes races and she has been only five times out of the money.

Bred at the family property at Coolac near Gundagai, by her owners Sandy Tate and his sister Jill Nivison, Spinning Hill is the latest of a long list of outstanding gallopers descending from the family's great and famous Star Kingdom mare, Dark Jewel. She is a great replacement for the same connections' recently retired champion Tie the Knot.