With the favourite Exploring scratched at the barrier on veterinary advice, it paved the way for the solidly supported Manhattan Rain filly La Danseuse Rouge to open her stakes account in the Listed Lightning Stakes (1050m) at Morphettville on Saturday.
Mintulee was left the lone 2yo in the race, and she took up the running but was a spent force soon after straightening.
The Cliff Brown-trained La Danseuse Rouge launched down the centre of the track under Jake Noonan to defeat the Zoustar filly Sweetened by three-quarters of a length with a short-head back to the Sooboog filly Boognish with the Jukebox filly Sixteen Reasons in fourth.
The Will Clarken & Niki O'Shea stable settled for 2-3-4.
La Danseuse Rouge placed in the Group III Thoroughbred Club Stakes and Group III Red Roses Stakes last spring but disappointed when last in the Listed Sunlight Classic at Flemington in March at her most recent start.
Brown said there was a genuine excuse for that failure.
"The horse next to her went off in the gates. I put her straight out and gave her a good break," he said.
"I thought she was overdoing things. Tony Lane, my assistant, suggested putting the barrier blanket on, and it would be significant for her, and he was 100 per cent correct.
"There is no game plan; she is Group placed and a Listed winner, which is great for a filly.
"It’s fantastic for Jake; you would not meet a nicer person.”
Bred by Blue Gum Farm and Imperial Bloodstock, La Danseuse Rouge is the first foal of Margaux (IRE), a winner in Singapore for Exceed And Excel.
Margaux (IRE) has an unraced 2yo sister to La Danseuse Rouge named Petit Manhattan in training with Brown and a yearling colt by Needs Further.
Margaux (IRE) was covered by Palace Pier (GB) last spring.
La Danseuse Rouge is the 18th stakes-winner for Geisel Park Stud’s Manhattan Rain which stands for $8,250 in 2023.
