New Stakes-Winner for Manhattan Rain

Gai Waterhouse is no stranger to success in Adelaide and looks to have a Group I Oaks contender in the shape of promising Manhattan Rain filly Ondina, who carried the Star Thoroughbreds colours to victory in the Listed SAJC Laelia Stakes at Morphettville on Saturday.

Ridden forward from an outside gate, Ondina led all the way and hung on strongly to take the 1600 metre Black Type event by a long head.

A bargain $40,000 Magic Millions National Yearling Sale purchase for Star Thoroughbreds from the Tyreel Stud draft, Ondina has won three of six starts earning over $100,000 in prizemoney.

Bred by Dean Fleming, Ondina is a half-sister to smart Melbourne winner Holy Cow from the stakes-placed Irish import Mermaid Island (IRE), a half-sister to Group Irish Thousand Guineas winner Nightime.

Mermaid Island was sold last year as part of the Tyreel Stud Dispersal fetching $80,000 and is now with successful boutique Hunter Valley breeder David Bentata.

She produced a Foxwedge filly last spring and was subsequently covered by Pierro.

Ondina is the third stakes-winner for Arrowfield Stud's promising young sire Manhattan Rain, who has 10 entries for the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale. Click here to see them.