A disappointing field has assembled for the Group 1 Manikato Stakes and feel that running The Everest the week before is the major factor in the quality of the field. The shining light in the race is that we get to see the 3YO Golden Rose winner Bivouac step up to WFA conditions for the first time, can he handle the step up ?
Distance
- 1200m
Track Conditions
- Good 4
- Rail: True Entire
Track Bias
Expecting a slight advantage to horses that will sit handy to the pace within 4 lengths from the speed, in the straight there will be an advantage close to the rails in lanes 1-4.
Early Speed
- Solid
Faatinah (8) should run them along at a solid tempo from barrier 8 with Vital Silver (9) and Anaheed (11) also pushing across to be handy to the speed from wide draws, from the inside gate they can be positive with Biavouac (1) and stalk the speed.
Top Pick
Classy 3YO Colt 9. Bivouac steps out of 3YO grade and into WFA conditions for the first time and feel he will handle it with ease, only failure this preparation was on the heavy track in the San Domenico, beat home Yes Yes Yes last start in the Golden Rose who has since won the Everest in impressive fashion. Kerrin McEvoy will have to be aggressive from barrier 1 to either find the front or sit just off the hot speed and ensure not getting caught back in the field three back the rails.
Dangers
Feel the Hayes and Dabernig trained 3. Faatinah looks way over the odds around the $17 mark, was solid in the Moir Stakes sitting just off the pace and finshing half a length from the winner Nature Strip, should roll forward and find the front here from barrier 8 and if able to pinch some easy sectionals will be hard to run down.
Lay
Craig Williams takes the ride on the Maher & Eustace trained 11. Loving Gaby, won well when resuming over 1200m at the track, last start was very disappointing as a short price favourite getting out gunned by California Zimbol racing very flat and just feel aty the current price is a big risk off that effort.
Betting Strategy
Back – Bivouac (3 Unit Win Bet)
Back – Faatinah (0.5 Unit Win Bet)
Lay – Loving Gaby
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