The talented Mannerism would get the better of the star Kiwi Veandercross in the 1992 Caulfield Cup

Mannerism was a two-time Group I winner trained by Hall Of Fame trainer Lee Freedman. The daughter of imported French stallion Amyntor will live on in Australian racing folk law for generations to come, nainly due to one famous race. She was out of the mare Northwood Manor (by Knightly Manner). Mannerism, who was bred and raced by Barrie and Midge Griffiths, established her staying credentials as a three-year-old filly when she won the Australasian Oaks.

Commencing her career as a three-year-old, Mannerism achieved her inaugural triumph on debut at Kyneton over a distance of 1200 metres in September 1990. Subsequently, she replicated this success at Sandown with Damien Oliver as the jockey in November. Mannerism went on to secure another victory over the mile at Flemington, followed by a triumph in the 3yo Stakes at Moonee Valley, also contested over a distance of 1600 metres. The victory of the Australasian Oaks over 2000m at Morphettville would validate Mannerism's potential as a gifted stayer on an upward trajectory. In March, Mannerism proved too good in the Gr.2 Kewney Stakes, but would run 3rd to All Mine in the Storm Queen Stakes and 3rd to Triscay in the AJC Oaks at Randwick to round off a highly successful campaign.

Resuming as a four-year-old in 1991, Mannerism would run 3rd to Redelva in the Memsie Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield, but reverse the result in the Feehan Stakes (1600m) two weeks later. After a short break the mare would win the Futurity Stakes (1400m) 2nd up and then run a strong 4th to the mighty Super Impose in the Chipping Norton (1600m) at Randwick. As a five-year-old, Mannerism would prove to be a powerhouse middle distance star in the 1992/93 season. She would win fresh up in the Listed Midlay Stakes and her first Group I success came in the 1992 Vic Health Cup (1400m) at Caulfield, which is now known as the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes. A 4th placing to the Kiwi star Castletown in the Caulfield Stakes (2000m) set her up nicely leading into the big staying challenge at Caulfield against another gun Kiwi.

Mannerism will always be remembered as the horse that left Shane Dye with plenty of explaining to do in the 1992 Caulfield Cup. Dye who rode Veandercross, chartered an extremely wide course aboard the Kiwi galloper, appearing home with 100 metres to run before Mannerism charged out of the ruck to nab the tiring race favourite in the shadows of the post. In a race on a wet track with plenty of speed, Dye sent the favourite Veandercross surging from the rear of the field to near the front in the back straight. As the field rounded the turn, Dye then stunned the crowd by racing about 12-wide and sending his mount down the middle of the track to avoid heavy ground. The side effect of this move was that Veandercross covered a mountain of extra ground, and Mannerism ran him down on the line by a short half-head to take the Cup. Veandercross’ trainer John Wheeler initially thought his horse had narrowly held on in a duel to the finish line with Mannerism – ridden by Damien Oliver in the first of his four Caulfield Cup wins. The crowd at Caulfield let Dye know in no uncertain terms about what they thought of his ride on the favourite.

Mannerism would continue on in January 1993 with a 4th to Fraar in the Manifold Stakes and a 3rd to Prince Salieri in the Blarney Stakes, before winning a 4YO Handicap event at Flemington. A third-place finish for Rough Habit in the All-Aged Stakes would provide the horse with a much-needed period of rest. At the age of six, she would only have two starts before retiring. She won the Craiglee Stakes but had a disappointing fourth-place finish in the Underwood Stakes in September 1993. At stud Mannerism had 12 foals and produced two stakes winners Dandify (Peter Pan Stakes) and Manner Hill (Craven Plate). Mannerism lived out her later years as a nanny to the property's weanlings after she became a successful producer upon retirement from the racetrack. Mannerism died at Milburn Creek Stud at the age of 28.

RACE RECORD - 38: 13-3-5

EARNINGS - $1,859,375

G1 1991 Australasian Oaks

1992 Futurity Stakes

1992 Show Day Cup

G1 1992 Caulfield Cup

G2 1991 Kewney Stakes

1991 Feehan Stakes,

1993 Craiglee Stakes.

Listed 1992 Milady Stakes.