FEATURE PREVIEW: MANIKATO STAKES

The Manikato Stakes is a 3yo+ WFA race over 1200m hosted by Moonee Valley Racecourse. Ahead of the feature race of Moonee Valley’s Friday Night Carnival, we’ll have a host of previews, Manikato Stakes tips and race analysis to help you sharpen your edge.

AUTHOR

Dean Evans

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MANIKATO STAKES OVERVIEW

Rail: +3m | Current Track Conditions: Good 4 | Predicted Track Conditions: Soft 5

G1 WFA sprint won in recent times by superstar sprinters including Buffering, Lankan Rupee, Bella Nipotina, Imperatriz & Chautauqua.

MANIKATO STAKES HISTORY (LAST 13 YEARS)

• 1st up (1/13), 2nd up (1/45), 3rd up (8/35), 4th up (1/21), 5th up (2/12), 6th+ up (0/7)
• 13-day break (3/40), 20-day break (3/35), 27-day break (5/29), 30-70 day break (1/10), 100+ day break (1/11)
• Leader (5 wins), 3rd (3 wins), 4th-7th (3 wins), 9th (1 win)
• 3yo (2/9), 4yo (2/37), 5yo (4/39), 6yo (3/26), 7yo (2/14), 8yo+ (0/8)
• Colt (1/4), Filly (1/5), Gelding (5/63), Entires (3/21), Mare (3/40)
• Last Start G1 (7/49), G2 (5/58), Other (1/26)
• Exchange Rank 1-5 (12/65), 6+ (1/68)
• Average Prizemoney $0-$40K (0/58), $50K+ (13/75)

2024 MANIKATO STAKES SPEED MAP

Plenty of early speed from Recommendation and Estriella, with Growing Empire, Veight, Kimochi and Chain Of Lightning taking close positions.
Johnny Rocker, Climbing Star & Coleman settle midfield.
Southport Tycoon, Caballus, Hayasugi & I Wish I Win out the back.

MANIKATO STAKES KEY RUNNERS

1. I Wish I Win – Is the best sprinter in Australia. Last 10 starts have been at G1 level for 3 wins and 6 placings, most of them within 0.5L of the winner. Ultra consistent. The Moonee Valley track doesn’t suit his style but if there is some rain and it is a swoopers track, he is a big chance.

2. Veight – Unbeaten fresh up, has won at the track and ran 2nd in quick Cranbourne trial recently.

4. Southport Tycoon – Wore blinkers first time when 3rd in quick Cranbourne trial recently, +8.4 the quickest last 600m of 192 triallers on the day. Wears blinkers first time in a race here and is flying. Doesn’t appear to like it wet.

5. Johnny Rocker – Ran a clear career best this track/distance when 2nd beaten a neck to Imperatriz in the G1 William Reid Stakes. Blinkers first time here, and query on the wet.

7. Chain Of Lighting – Plain first up. 1200m suits better. Wants wet.

8. Estriella – Boom mare looking to prove herself at G1 level here. Bolted in winning 3 in a row last prep including the $1M Inglis Sprint before 5th in the G1 Robert Sangster. Resumed with a good Cranbourne 800m trial win under a hold by 4L in +1.2 time. Luckless first up when caught 3 wide no cover. In the mix.

9. Kimochi – Strong win first up after racing wide no cover throughout. Different grade here.

11. Coleman – OK first up in the Moir. Has ability but needs to lift here.

12. Growing Empire – Boom 3yo who has won 4yo. Big step up in grade here and times mixed.

13. Hayasugi – Won the Blue Diamond Preview, Blue Diamond Prelude and Blu Diamond Stakes last prep, then forget went around in the Golden Slipper. Looked good in recent Cranbourne 800m 26 Aug trial when 3rd under a hold. Finished strongly for 2nd in the Moir first up.

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MANIKATO STAKES SELECTIONS

1 – I Wish I Win
13 – Hayasugi
4 – Southport Tycoon
8 – Estriella
12 – Growing Empire
2 – Veight

MANIKATO STAKES BETTING STRATEGY

I Wish I Win and Hayasugi rate on top.
Southport Tycoon, Estriella, Growing Empire, & Veight all capable of winning.
The race doesn’t end there. Not many would surprise.

Betting Strategy

BACK (WIN) 1. I Wish I Win for 1 unit

Dean Evans