The Manikato Stakes is always an exciting contest, and an impressive field of eleven sprinters will step out at The Valley on Friday night.
Six previous Group 1 winners are engaged, but there is a case to be made for literally every horse, and the 2020 Manikato Stakes shapes as a terrific betting race.
Manikato Stakes – Winner
No. 10 Diamond Effort – Bet Now: $11.00
Diamond Effort doesn’t know how to run a bad race, and I think that the she can record her first Group 1 victory in the Manikato Stakes.
The Mossman mare has recorded eight wins and three minors from her sixteen career starts, but there is absolutely no doubt that she has gone to another level in 2020.
She won each of her four starts in autumn, peaking in the Neds Hareeba Stakes, and she picked up where she left off this time with a smart win in the Group 3 Neds Heath.
She was absolutely luckless when fifth in the Moir Stakes here two back, and was last seen finishing a nose second to Dirty Work in the Schillaci Stakes.
Ben Melham should be able to lob into a decent position from barrier 2, and the $10 available for Diamond Effort in Manikato Stakes betting (at publish) looks a touch of overs.
Manikato Stakes – 2nd
No. 1 Trekking – Bet Now: $3.60
Trekking is on the quick back-up from an eye-catching fourth in The Everest, and he’ll take plenty of beating in the Manikato Stakes.
You really don’t need me to go through every scrap of his form for you, but in short, the Street Cry gelding is a multiple Group 1 winner, and he returned to the races this time for an impressive second placing behind Pippie here in the Group 1 Moir Stakes.
He clearly relishes racing at The Valley, he’s drawn to receive a lovely run and he looks to be at peak fitness for this contest.
Manikato Stakes – 3rd
No. 8 Pippie – Bet Now: $6.50
Pippie has been kept fresh since her first-up run and win in the Moir Stakes, and that is exactly how show likes it.
The Written Tycoon mare always hinted at top level ability during the early stages of her career, but realised it when leading all the way in the Oakleigh Plate first-up in autumn this year.
She continued to race well throughout her campaign, but proved that she is at her absolute best when fresh and won the Moir Stakes this time.
This race isn’t a whole lot harder; I just think that the fitness edge that some of her key rivals now hold might prove to be the difference.
Manikato Stakes – 4th
No. 2 Hey Doc – Bet Now: $8.50
Hey Doc is a previous Manikato Stakes winner, and I can’t find a reason why he won’t be in the finish again on Friday night.
The Duporth gelding has been a star for the McEvoys since debuting and capped his 2019 preparation with an impressive win in the Winterbottom Stakes.
He needed the run when eighth in the Moir Stakes when resuming, but finished less than a length from the winner of the Schillaci Stakes last time out, and he is ready to peak third-up in this contest.
The $8.50 available for him in Manikato Stakes betting could also prove over the odds.
Manikato Stakes Suggested Bets
- 2 Units E/W #10 Diamond Effort
- Boxed Trifecta of the selections above