Brooklyn needs to find way

IT’S easier said than done but Brooklyn Hustle (below) only needs to find a length to become a Group 1 winner in Friday night’s Manikato Stakes (1200m) at the Valley.

Brooklyn Hustle finished a length from Pippie when fourth in the Group 1 Moir Stakes over 1000m last time out and meets five rivals out of that race in the Manikato.

The Moir Stakes trifecta of Pippie, Trekking and Bella Vella are all set to run in the Manikato Stakes, which carries $1m in prizemoney.

Co-trainer Dean Krongold said Brooklyn Hustle has benefited from a four-week gap since her last run.

“She hasn’t put a hoof wrong since the Moir run and she does race better fresh,” Krongold, who trains Brooklyn Hustle in partnership with Jason Warren, said.

Brooklyn Hustle has drawn barrier eight, the same as the Moir Stakes, but will have another 200m to run in the Manikato Stakes.

T h e daughter of Starspangledbanner is yet to win over 1200m but her form is solid over the distance.

She finished a length from Lyre in last year’s Blue Diamond, third in the Blue Sapphire Stakes and fifth in the Coolmore Stud Stakes at 1200m.

“We always thought she’d be better over the six furlongs (1200m),” Krongold said.

“She’s bred to get at least 1400(m), her mum was a mileand-a-quarter winner. She just relaxes so well in her races that she can still reel off sectionals late over further.”

Krongold said the extra 200m wouldn’t mean a change in tactics for in-form jockey Mark Zahra, who won last Saturday’s Caulfield Cup on Verry Elleegant.

“We’ll ride her conservatively again because that’s the best way to ride her for her racing pattern,” Krongold said.

“We’ll probably just leave it up to Mark because he’s been on her back before but we’ll probably just try to replicate the Moir in some way.

“I think she’s got it in her to win the race.”