TOUGH veteran Orford trained jumper Mannertone has been retired after running in a $20,000 steeplechase at Mount Gambier on Sunday.
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Mannertone failed to finish the course in the 3410 metre 'chase which was won by Searaven, forcing his trainer Anne McGrath to retire her 11-year-old jumping star.
"The day had to come when we retired Mannertone but it's a tough pill to swallow," McGrath said.
"He knocked his near-front tendon in the run and jockey Nathan Newton decided to pull Mannertone out of the race.
"We've still got a horse to take home after he's run in 62 jumps races. Mannertone has pulled up well.
"He's got a paddock at home for the rest of his life for what he's done on the racetrack for my family and the owners.
"He gave a lot of joy to so many people during his career. He had a cult following of jumps fans following his career. I suppose they loved him because he was the underdog against the top jumpers."
McGrath said Mannertone's jumping career over the last five years contained plenty of highlights.
"His longevity in jumps racing is amazing there's not many that compete for five years at the jumping caper," she said.
"For me his best run was when he ran second behind Bashboy in the 2015 Thackeray Steeplechase at Warrnambool.
"Bashboy was a champion jumper and for him to run second to the champ was an amazing effort. He raced against all the top line 'chasers including jumpers like Zed Em, Wells, Regina Coeli, No Song No Supper and Gold Medals during his career.
"Mannertone was not a brilliant jumper. He was just an honest 'chaser who gave 100 per cent in his races. I look around our home and all I see is photos of Mannertone on the walls. He goes out as a star in our eyes."
From his 62 jumps starts Mannertone won eight races. He finished in the minor place-getters stall on 17 occasions. Mannertone won only one flat race during his 105 race career.
Southern hope
CIARON Maher rates Southern France a genuine Melbourne Cup hope following his third placing in the Irish St Leger at The Curragh in Ireland on Sunday.
Southern France, who has been purchased recently by stable clients for Maher, was beaten home by Search For A Song and Kew Gardens in the weight-for-age Irish St Leger over 2800 metres.
Maher, who trains in partnership with David Eustace was trackside at The Curragh to witness Southern France's run in the classic race.
"Southern France is a seriously good horse," he said. "I'm glad I came over to gain a greater insight into the horse. I've kept a close eye on him since arriving in Ireland on Friday.
"It was a very big run considering it was a weight-for-age race against some of the best stayers in the world. I think he's the right type of international horse to run in the Melbourne Cup.
"He's a big strong type of horse who should run out a solid 3200 metres. Champion trainer Aidan O'Brien has done a marvellous job training Southern France over here and now it's my task to get him back to Australia and prepare him for the Melbourne Cup.
"He'll go into quarantine here in Ireland within the next few days for a couple of weeks before he goes to Australia where he will spend time in quarantine at Werribee."
The exciting Irish-bred stayer has been handicapped to carry 55.5 kgs in the Melbourne Cup on November 5.
Country agenda
COUNTRY cup races are on the agenda for Warrnambool galloper Tarquin, according to his trainer Simon Ryan.
Tarquin having his second run-from a spell was unplaced in a $125,000 open handicap at Flemington on Saturday but Ryan said the seven-year-old will line up in this Sunday's Coleraine Cup before running in the Murtoa and Hamilton Cups.
"It's a bit hard running in Melbourne at this time of the year," the former jumps jockey turned trainer said. "There will be some very good horses down in Melbourne over the next few weeks. It's a bit easier to set horses like Tarquin at the country cups.
"They offer great prizemoney and in the case of Coleraine, Murtoa and Hamilton they all have a VOBIS Gold Bonuses for owners which is a wonderful initiative.
"I was happy enough with the run of Tarquin at Flemington he finished the race off pretty good and it'll be a bit easier running at Coleraine then Flemington."
Meanwhile, Ryan has plans to set his mare Eliabella for a jumps career after winning her maiden on the flat over 2400 metres at Bendigo last week.
"I was very happy with the win," he said. "Eliabella was having only her second start for us and she's still got some improvement in her. We'll try and get her qualified for the Jericho Cup.
"She's shown she can stay which is a real bonus. Her long term goal is jumping races. She's not really big but she's nimble on her feet and I think she may develop into a handy type of jumper."
From her 10 starts Eliabella has won more then $50,000 in stakemoney.
Out of saddle
FORMER Warrnambool jockey Nikita Beriman has called quits on her career in the saddle.
Beriman has battled chronic hip problems for the last couple of years and was against having operations to fix the problems if she was to continue riding. She rode nearly 700 winners including Tears I Cry to win the 2007 group one Emirates Stakes at Flemington.
WHO TO FOLLOW
VASSILATOR: Liked the way he hit the line in a 1400 metre race on Saturday. He's crying out for 1600 metres and should be hard to beat next time.
CAPTAIN COOK: Well supported to win at Flemington but could only manage a third placing. His three runs in Australia have been full of merit. He's ready to win in similar company next time.
HARTNELL: Veteran galloper who showed with a strong finish in the Makybe Diva - he might have another feature race win in him before he's retired.
HARRY COFFEY: Underrated jockey. Coffey showed his class booting home two winners at Echuca on Saturday. The talented hoop doesn't get the chances he deserves.