Lachie Manzelmann after first city winner at Doomben

By Glenn Davis

Dual code trainer Lachie Manzelmann cut his teeth in harness racing but will be looking for his first metropolitan winner in the thoroughbred game at Eagle Farm on Wednesday.

Manzelmann - the son of popular Mackay trainer John Manzelmann – has held a thoroughbred trainers' licence for only seven months while he’s been a Group 1-winning reinsman in harness racing.

John Manzelmann was also a top harness racing trainer before switching codes and beating a battle with cancer and is now regarded as one of the state’s leading trainers on the provincial and country circuits.

Lachie Manzelmann saddled up his first city Saturday runner at Eagle Farm on the weekend when Lets Torque A Deel finished sixth to Tappy’s Lad in the Benchmark 78 Handicap over 2406 metres.

Lets Torque A Deel gave the 23-year-old his first winner with his second starter as a thoroughbred trainer when the six-year-old won a Benchmark race at Beaudesert on New Year’s Eve.

With only four horses in work, Lachie is pinning his hopes on a metropolitan breakthrough with just his 15th starter when The Driller starts in the Benchmark 70 Handicap over 1845 metres.

The Driller has had only four starts for Lachie after starting 34 times for his father for four wins in North Queensland.

The Driller is raced by Manzelmann senior and well-known pacing identity Ian Corazzol, who is a spreading his wings into thoroughbred racing.

“This horse started off with Dad in Mackay and he owns half of him along with Ian,” Lachie said.

“I’ve now got four horses in work after buying an unraced horse off Jack Bruce recently.

“I’m planning to cull the pacing stable and I’ll be switching full time soon to thoroughbred training where there’s more opportunities and money for trainers.”

The Driller is coming off an all the way win last start over 1800 metres at the Sunshine Coast on March 5.

“His last win was super and he’s had four starts for me for a win and two placings,” Lachie said.

“He’ll keep racing for the time being as he’s really surprised us the way he’s settled in here and is racing so well.

“I’m chasing the prize money with him as it’s so good in Queensland now.

“It’ll be a step-up for him on Wednesday to a Benchmark 70 but he loves the distance so I’m hoping he’ll go well.”