First season sire Manhattan Rain posted his first stakes performer on Saturday in Perth when 2YO colt Chengdu was a close second in the $100,000 Perth S. 1100m LR.

The son of Two Beauties (by Red Ransom) was a $140,000 purchase from breeder Newhaven Park by Gai Waterhouse & James Harron at last year’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Sale.  His dam is a winning half-sister to Hong Kong Champion Sprinter Absolute Champion, from the family of Group 1 winners Drum, Anamato, Grand Armee & Dealer Principal.

Chengdu’s first two starts for owners Craig Thompson & David Walpole (who also raced top-class mare Hallowell Belle) produced a third placing to subsequent Group performer Ygritte and a sixth behind Saturday’s Randwick Group 2 winner Valentia.

The colt was then transferred to the stable of leading Perth trainer Dan Morton who very nearly delivered a perfect Ascot debut when the colt was beaten only a half-length by the talented Jezpark, winner of two Listed Races from five starts.

Manhattan Rain recorded his first winner, Arrowfield graduate Downtown Manhattan last month.

The Group 1-winning son of Encosta de Lago has 12 yearlings on offer at next month’s Inglis Australian Easter Sale, among them two colts and two fillies in the Arrowfield draft.