Decision time, whether it will be the St Leger, at Flemington, or the South Australian Derby, at Morphettville, that is the call Nigel Blakiston has to make concerning Flemington winner Manapine.

On pedigree alone he could not have won either race, however, that has all changed with his dogged performance in winning over 2500 metres at Flemington.

This is one time when pedigree had no influence over the result, nothing more than sheer ability and the will to win.

Whichever race is chosen for Manapine you can forget all about pedigree, and the distance will not be a problem after Saturday.

His trainer, Nigel Blakiston, is a master with stayers, he treats them as a challenge, he has that knack of getting the best out of a horse with staying potential.

Sprinters often come to hand quickly, the stayer is a different proposition, it’s all about time and patience, and sometimes plenty of it to get the end result.

After arriving from England, where he had previous experience Blakiston joined the master, Bart Cummings, where he looked after the dual Cups winner, Let’s Elope .

He prepared the useful stayer, Let’s Make Adeal, a grandson of Let’s Elope, for Dennis Marks who raced the great mare

Manapine defeating Oncidium Ruler