Manikato Preview – Who Will Take Out The Prestigious G1?

The Million-dollar entrée to the Cox Plate is the Manikato Stakes and this year’s edition is an absolute beauty. 

A full field of 14 quality horses will greet the starter, all with different form lines including races like the Everest, Moir Stakes and Schillaci Stakes.

The addition of the four Aiden O’Brien trained International runners adds another layer of intrigue to an already great race.

1.Brave Smash (JPN)      

• Trainer: D Weir
• Jockey: H Bowman 
• Barrier: 9
• $9 Bet Now

Plenty of things including a slow tempo and a heavy track went against him in the Everest where he battled on to finish 8^th. Back on a dry track around Moonee Valley, where he has won before should see him improve greatly. In a massive boost to his chances the blinkers go back on for the first time this prep. Winning chance.

2. Kementari

• Trainer: J Cummings
• Jockey: G Schofield
• Barrier: 12
• $5.50 Bet Now

‘Special K’ adds plenty of interest to this race and can reclaim his spot as one of Australia’s best horses if he can win this. He’s had a five-week freshen up and a nice trial since his fourth placing in the Makybe Diva (1600m). Has never raced around the Valley before, but that shouldn’t be a problem as he is a very tractable horse. Should sit just behind the speed but has drawn poorly so may end up three wide. Blinkers on first time to sharpen him up for the 1200m trip could prove a masterstroke. Top 3 chance.

3. Malaguerra 

• Trainer: P Gelagotis
• Jockey: B Melham
• Barrier: 1
• $11 Bet Now

Two-time Group 1 winner who has been out of the winner’s stall for some time. First up here and has an excellent first-up record. Barrier 1 could play against him here as I don’t think he has the early speed to hold some of the others drawn wider and may find himself in a very tricky spot. Opposed.

4. Voodoo Lad

• Trainer: D Weir
• Jockey: M Zahra
• Barrier: 8
• $13 Bet Now

Been running on ok in lower grade races than this. Will settle back in the field off a fast tempo but not confident he can produce a winning sprint in this class of race. Against him here.

5. Jungle Edge

• Trainer: M Bell
• Jockey: D Dunn
• Barrier 6
• $26 Bet Now

Consistent galloper who comes out of a strong race where he was the beneficiary of a slow tempo and stuck on solid for second place but was no match for the winner. Looks to face a much quicker tempo here but has proven he has some sustained speed albeit on wet tracks. Needs a wet track.

6. Spirit of Valour (USA)

• Trainer: A O’Brien
• Jockey: O Murphy
• Barrier: 14
• $12 Bet Now

One of four Aiden O’Brien runners in the race and ran the best of the three coming out of the Schillaci Stakes. Was posted wide the trip last start but still ran on strongly to finish a close 2^nd with a further two lengths back to 3^rd. Drawn terribly here but is capable of putting in another eye-catching run. Outside chance.

7.Intelligence Cross (USA)

• Trainer: A O’Brien
• Jockey: E McNamara
• Barrier: 5
• $71 Bet Now

Another International coming out of the Schillaci where he put in an ordinary performance, missing the start and whacking away to finish last. His best recent performance was finishing second in Listed race in Ireland. Needs to improve.

8. US Navy Flag (USA)

• Trainer: A O’Brien
• Jockey R Moore
• Barrier: 2
• $7 Bet Now

Finished back in the field in the Everest but had plenty of excuses being slow away and resenting the heavy track conditions. Back on top of the ground here we should see the same horse that won the July Cup at Newmarket. Drawn well to be able to sit just behind the speed but could find himself in some trouble if he’s slow away again. Top 3 chance.

9. Fleet Review (USA)

• Trainer: A O’Brien
• Jockey: K McEvoy
• Barrier: 11
• $34 Bet Now

International runner who finished a close 3^rd behind stablemate US Navy Flag in the July Cup. Since that run was disappointing in the Schillaci where he was simply outsprinted. Will settle in the back half of the field and be aided by the solid tempo but looks tested.

10. Houtzen

• Trainer: T Edmonds
• Jockey: R Maloney
• Barrier: 4
• $7.50 Bet Now

Had absolutely no luck last start in the Moir Stakes where she was held up for the majority of the straight before getting clear and just missing out on a placing. Drawn well and Maloney should be able to hold out the wider runners for the lead. If she finds the front will be very tough to run down.

11.Tulip

• Trainer: D & B Hayes, T Dabernig
• Jockey: R Bayliss
• Barrier: 10
• $34 Bet Now

Classy horse who drops back in trip from 1400m and gets the blinkers back on. Drawn awkwardly so could see herself posted three-wide. Has run well this track and distance but in lower grade than this. Prefer others.

12. Spright

• Trainer: G Frazer
• Jockey: D Oliver 
• Barrier 13
• $31 Bet Now

Second up today after a solid run first up in the Moir where she was assisted by a fast tempo. The step up in distance looks ideal and she should get another fast tempo here, look for her rattling home late.

13. Invincible Star

• Trainer: G Waterhouse, A Bott
• Jockey: S Baster
• Barrier: 7
• $18 Bet Now

Was unable to recapture her form from last years spring carnival where she ran a close 2^nd behind Merchant Navy in a Coolmore. Been racing against the best sprinters in the land all three runs back and has had excuses in those runs. Knockout hope.

14: Sunlight

• Trainer: T McEvoy
• Jockey: L Currie
• Barrier 3
• $4.80 Bet Now

Consistent filly making the big step into open grade here. Has shown she has genuine sustained speed but that has come in 2 & 3-year-old races. Appears outclassed here.

Click Here to read our preview on the Cox Plate

*Odds are supplied by Neds and are subject to change.

*Gamble Responsibly

By Jack Marshall