Hasta Manana finished just 4.70 lengths back in the Grade 1 Premiers Champion Stakes last time and back in maiden company he looks a tough horse to beat.
Hasta Manana has a lot going for him when he lines up a Race 5, a Maiden Plate over 1400m at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Sunday.
Hasta Manana is Spanish for “until tomorrow”, but that should not be the case for this three-year-old son of William Longsword.
Prior to that Grade 1 run the Gareth van Zyl-trained runner had finished second in four successive races and, probably as a result of his last race, comes into this race with a merit rating of 90. That makes him the best weighted runner in by at least 5.5kg.
Anton Marcus takes the ride for the first time and has the benefit of jumping from No 1 draw.
He is worth a solid bet and looks a banker in all the exotics.
The next best on the card comes up in Race 1, a Maiden Plate for fillies and mares over 1200m.
Drive By made dramatic improvement after a rest and the addition of blinkers. This well-bred filly was beaten just 0.60 lengths after a tough duel with other some over useful fillies making life tough for her. She appeared to be heading for success but was just run out of it by Family Favourite.
She should have a much better passage this time with main danger Leopard Lady a backmarker, who could get going too late again.