Green Manner makes quick impression

The Tony Cruz-trained Green Manner caught the eye with a gutsy debut performance in the Class Three Fa Po Handicap (1,600m) on Sunday.

The five-year-old launched his career at Sha Tin off a seasoned 10-run campaign in New Zealand under the same name for trainer Graham Richardson, winning twice over 1,400m at Te Aroha and at Pukekura in the North Island.

He showed some response when asked for an effort in an all-weather trial, but it was not enough to catch the attention of punters and the gelding was sent out at 24-1 under Matthew Chadwick.

Green Manner jumped alertly with a hood and tongue-tie to settle second behind Shiny Day, and then eased back to sit along the fence in fourth behind Soldier at the 1,200m. He switched off the leader at the 400m, rushed to the lead 300m out and stayed on dourly, only to find the progressive Taknam too good in the final 50m.

He is son of exposed Danehill Dancer line which has thrived over varying distances on the local front with 37 winners from 66 starters, the best of whom have been smart sprinters One World (Group Two Cathay Pacific Jockey Club Sprint winner) and Rich Unicorn (successful over Little Bridge in last season's Group Two Premier Bowl) and the middle-distance victorious pair of Super Satin (2010 Derby winner) and Super Pistachio (2011 Queen Mother Memorial Cup winner). His dam, Galileo mare Snapdragon, raced twice in Great Britain and came away fourth on both occasions over 2,400m and 2,600m and is a half-sister to five winners.

Green Manner appears to have acclimatised quickly and should be saluting over a mile to 2,000m.