Manfred was a very good racehorse; he could have been a champion, except his temperament didn’t mix so well on some occasions.

He was by Valais, who sired Heroic 12 months earlier, a much better racehorse and leading sire seven times in succession.

Manfred was raced by Ben Chaffey, Chairman of the Victoria Amateur Turf Club; he raced Whittier earlier who had won the Caulfield Cup twice in three years.

Manfred was trained by Harry McCalman, at Bendigo, in stables opposite to the member’s car park.

After a few disappointing runs, six starts in all, there was still a few quirks in his makeup that McCalman had to work on.

He turned to Warwick Farm; it was worth the risk, at 10-1 he cantered in by four lengths, it was too good to be true, ridden by Bill Duncan.

Duncan couldn’t wait about for the Sires Produce Stakes, he had to get back to Melbourne, Jackie Toohey, a competent jockey, was engaged to ride Manfred.

When the starter sent the field away Manfred stood flatfooted,with all the persuasion he never moved, the 6-4 favourite was taking no place in the race.

Punters are a resilient group, they lined up two days later for the Easter Stakes at   Randwick as if nothing had happened, all was forgiven, Manfred starting favourite at 10-9, he was untroubled to win, with a bit in hand.

The Champagne was a further two days away, Manfred won with a leg in the air by eight lengths, starting at 6-1.

Manfred retuned to Bendigo for a break of four months before he would race again, he ran unplaced in a three year old race at Flemington.

However, after winning the Heatherlie Handicap, he ran second to The Hawk in the Hill Stakes, starting at 1- 3

The A J C Derby was next, what a furore, at 2-5 favourite he took no notice of the starter’s   lever, all he was interested in was a lady leaning over the rails wearing pink hat.

Under strong persuasion from Billy Duncan, he coaxed Manfred to join in the race when the horses were turning out of the straight, with a lap to complete.

Manfred won that Derby, another as well, a Cox Plate and a Caulfield Cup, he was beaten a half length by Windbag in a Melbourne Cup.

He was a champion, but he only raced on his terms, six times he refused to join in the field, he almost threw a Derby away.

  Manfred with Bill Duncan