Ladbrokes Tip: Backing the favourite to salute is a good Manikato Stakes betting tip!
This season the Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes ran on Friday September 26, 2025 at Moonee Valley with the Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr trained mare Charm Stone ($31) posting an impressive first-up upset.
2025 Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes Results
The official Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes 2025 Results & Finishing Order will be available below once the race is run and won at Moonee Valley Racecourse on Friday September 26, 2025.
- 1st: #7 Charm Stone
- 2nd: #2 Baraqiel
- 3rd: #5 Magic Time
The Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr trained mare Charm Stone ($31) was enormous in her spring campaign kickoff when given a perfectly timed ride by Blake Shinn from a good gate to surge clear inside the final 100m and beat track specialist Baraqiel home in the 2025 Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes results on Friday night.
2025 Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes Odds
The latest Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes 2025 betting odds will be available across the season below so you can back your early Moonee Valley Group 1 racing tips online at the right price this spring.
| 7. Charm Stone (2) J: Blake Shinn 56.5kg 2x10xT: Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr | ||
| 2. Baraqiel (7) J: Ben Allen 58.5kg 63x11T: L & T Corstens & W Larkin | ||
| 5. Magic Time (1) J: Michael Dee 56.5kg 367x1T: Grahame Begg | ||
| 6. Lady Shenandoah (10) J: James McDonald 56.5kg 111x2T: Chris Waller | ||
| 10. Ameena (4) J: Mark Zahra 56.5kg x24x5T: Anthony & Sam Freedman | ||
| 3. Payline (9) J: Justin Huxtable 58.5kg 398x5T: Chris & Corey Munce | ||
| 1. Rothfire (8) J: Nash Rawiller 58.5kg 427x9T: Robert Heathcote | ||
| 4. Sir Sway (3) J: Lachlan Neindorf 58.5kg 822x0T: Sue & Jason Jaensch | ||
| 8. Skybird (6) J: John Allen 56.5kg 0x1x6T: Mitchell Freedman | ||
| 9. Alabama Lass (5) J: Craig Williams 56.5kg 211x2T: Ken & Bev Kelso |
Manikato Stakes Tips
Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes tips are most often dominated by that season’s Moir Stakes winner, but a host of other lead-up races have produced winners of the sprint showdown in recent years including Brisbane’s Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap during the winter that both Sea Siren (9th in 2012) and Danleigh (2nd in 2009) contested before their spring win in the Manikato in Melbourne.
Some gallopers kick off their spring campaigns in the race, so looking at the runners with good fresh form is a good Manikato Stakes betting tip as is looking for the horses drawn near the inside as the tight circuit favours barriers 1 – 5.
Charm Stone (2025) was the last first-up Manikato Stakes winner.
2025 Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes Tips
Our insider Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes 2025 betting tips and exotic Moonee Valley race selections will be detailed below the week of the race so bookmark this page to see what sprint horses to back at the right price this season.
2025 Manikato Stakes Same Race Multi Selections ($14 at time of publish)
- Top 2 – No. 2 Baraqiel
- Top 3 – No. 9 Alabama Lass
- Top 4 – No. 5 Magic Time
BARAQIEL (7), a Snitzel seven-year-old and proven The Valley specialist, looks outstanding value in the Manikato Stakes as he aims to make it five-from-five at the track. Lightly raced due to a life-threatening injury, this gelding has redefined the term “comeback king,” going back-to-back this prep in the Listed Norman Carlyon and Group 1 Moir Stakes, where he showed a dazzling turn of foot to hold off Alabama Lass. He thrives on the tight turns, is drawn to get a Moir-like run, and with Ben Allen granted full tactical freedom, the stable’s confidence, and serious momentum behind him, I’m backing him to complete the double and take out his Grand Final.
ALABAMA LASS (1) is an ultra-consistent Kiwi raider from Ken & Bev Kelso’s stable who shapes as genuine value in the Manikato, especially with Craig Williams aboard from an ideal gate five. Boasting six wins and four seconds from ten starts, she impressed on Australian debut carrying 57kg to a Listed win at Flemington and returned this prep a stronger four-year-old. Runner-up to Baraqiel in the Moir, she’s proven up to 1400m and thrives at 1200m, with two wins and two seconds from four attempts. Williams praised her handling of The Valley, and if she settles on pace without overdoing it, she’ll be mighty hard to run down.
MAGIC TIME (5), a classy six-year-old mare by Hellbent trained by Grahame Begg for Yu Long Investments, returns to Group 1 company chasing consecutive wins this prep and makes her Moonee Valley debut with Michael Dee aboard. She boasts a strong six-furlong record (5 wins from 9 starts), including a powerful fresh win in the Group 3 Cockram Stakes where she overcame a wide run and gave weight to Miss Roumbini, who later placed in the Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke. Dropping to 56.5kg under WFA conditions is a plus, and while barrier one presents tactical challenges, her solid second-up record and late finishing burst give her genuine Top 3 claims if she finds clear air.
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2. Baraqiel (7)
J: Ben Allen 58.5kg
63×11T: L & T Corstens & W Larkin
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5. Magic Time (1)
J: Michael Dee 56.5kg
367×1T: Grahame Begg
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9. Alabama Lass (5)
J: Craig Williams 56.5kg
211×2T: Ken & Bev Kelso
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The Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes is a feature Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival sprint run at Moonee Valley Racecourse in late September as of 2024 having been moved forward a month from its previous late October time slot.
The popular sprint showdown recently took place on the Friday night under the lights at The Valley on the eve of the Cox Plate.
The 2022 Manikato Stakes ran on Cox Plate Day after being moved from the abandoned Friday night meeting at Moonee Valley, and in 2023 the Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes remained part of the Cox Plate Day race card.
In 2024 it moved from October to September but remained a Friday night Moonee Valley night racing feature.
Conducted over 1200m the weight-for-age feature holds Group 1 status and runs on the notoriously tight Valley circuit.
Worth $2 million in prize money as of 2022 it is named after dual winner of the race Manikato who also won five straight editions of the William Reid Stakes at the same track from 1979 – 1983.
Upgraded to a Group 1 race in 1989 the Manikato was previously known as the Freeway Stakes (1968 – 1983). It has been won by many top-line sprinters including Lankan Rupee (2014), Sepoy (2011), Hay List (2010), Miss Andretti, Sunline (2000m), and Dane Ripper (1998).
2025 Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes Race Info
- Date: Friday September 26, 2025
- Track: Moonee Valley Racecourse
- Distance: 1200m
- Conditions: Weight-for-age
- Status: Group 1
- Prize Money: $2 million
- First Run: 1968
Manikato Stakes Betting
Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes betting odds were traditionally led by the best Moir Stakes graduates who were proven in Group 1 company over the 1200m at Moonee Valley.
Recent Manikato Stakes winners that ran second in the Moir Stakes in their final lead-up include Buffering (2013), Lankan Rupee (2014) and Bella Nipotina (2022).
Imperatriz (2023) was the last to complete the Moir Stakes – Manikato Stakes double.
As of 2024, the Manikato Stakes runs earlier in September prior to the Moir Stakes.
The 2018 Manikato Stakes winner Brave Smash also finished runner-up in that spring’s Moir Stakes but also finished eighth to dual champ Redzel in Sydney’s The Everest race in between the Melbourne, spring features at The Valley.
Horses at the top of the Manikato Stakes markets have recently fared well with six favourites saluting in the race from 2007 – 2025 most recently Imperatriz ($1.40 in 2023). There have been two notable upsets with Rebel Dane ($61 in 2016) and Hey Doc ($21 in 2017).
Hey Doc returned in 2020 to first dual champion on non-successive years since the race’s now namesake Manikato (1979, 1982) but did so as a $10 shot.
Horses coming off a top two run have dominated recent Manikato Stakes results, so the in-form sprinters of the spring usually sit highest up the Manikato Stakes odds.
There was a notable Manikato Stakes upset in 2024 with the beaten favourite Growing Empire ($3.80) run down late by his stablemate Southport Tycoon ($21).
The 2025 Manikato Stakes winner Charm Stone also won at a blowout price of $31!
Manikato Stakes Field
The Manikato Stakes race field has a capacity of 14 starters and has been run at that capacity eight times since 1983 most recently in 2008 when Typhoon Zed saluted and 2018 when Brave Smash got the job done as an $8.50 shot.
Four times since 2009 the Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes race field has attracted under double figures with just eight lining up in both 2010 and 2011, only nine in the 2017 edition and nine again in 2020. Both in 2017 and 2020, Hey Doc won the race.
There were only six official starters in the 2023 Manikato Stakes field with Buenos Noches scratched at the barriers.
The 2024 Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes field ran with 12 starters, while in 2025 Charm Stone beat home nine rivals.
The Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes final acceptances close the week of the race previously featured horses that contested the Group 1 Moir Stakes before being moved in 2024.
Recent Manikato Stakes winners to have had their final lead-up in the A.J. Moir Stakes include Lankan Rupee (2nd in 2014), Buffering (2nd in 2013), Bella Nipotina (2nd in 2022) who also finished second in the previous year’s Manikato results, and Imperatriz (1st of 2023) who did the double.
2025 Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes Field
The 2025 Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes Field & Barriers are set for release the Tuesday of race week and will be published in full below so stay tuned to see the sprinters that make the cut for the $2 million dollar feature.
The 2025 Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes field features 10 sprinters with Chris Waller’s Concorde Stakes runner-up Lady Shenandoah the favourite to win her first Moonee Valley assignment, while the Moir Stakes winner Baraqiel is unbeaten at the track chasing a hat-trick this prep.
The barrier draw took place at 5pm (AEST) on Tuesday evening with the favourite, Lady Shenandoah, drawing the outside alley (10).
| Entrant | Last 6 | Sex | Barrier | Weight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1. Rothfire
J: Nash Rawiller
T: Robert Heathcote |
x427x9 | G | 8 | 58.5kg | |
|
2. Baraqiel
J: Ben Allen
T: L & T Corstens & W Larkin |
163x11 | G | 7 | 58.5kg | |
|
3. Payline
J: Justin Huxtable
T: Chris & Corey Munce |
9398x5 | G | 9 | 58.5kg | |
|
4. Sir Sway
J: Lachlan Neindorf
T: Sue & Jason Jaensch |
2822x0 | G | 3 | 58.5kg | |
|
5. Magic Time
J: Michael Dee
T: Grahame Begg |
1367x1 | M | 1 | 56.5kg | |
|
6. Lady Shenandoah
J: James McDonald
T: Chris Waller |
x111x2 | M | 10 | 56.5kg | |
|
7. Charm Stone
J: Blake Shinn
T: Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr |
82x10x | M | 2 | 56.5kg | |
|
8. Skybird
J: John Allen
T: Mitchell Freedman |
70x1x6 | M | 6 | 56.5kg | |
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9. Alabama Lass
J: Craig Williams
T: Ken & Bev Kelso |
x211x2 | M | 5 | 56.5kg | |
|
10. Ameena
J: Mark Zahra
T: Anthony & Sam Freedman |
7x24x5 | M | 4 | 56.5kg |
2025 Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes Nominations
The 2025 Manikato Stakes Nominations close at midday on Monday September 22, 2025.
The 2025 Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes nominations are extended until 10:00AM (AEST) – 23/09/2025
The Manikato Stakes 2025 nominations feature a quality line-up of spring sprinters led in all-in betting by Chris Waller’s triple Group 1 winning mare and confirmed The Everest contender Lady Shenandoah.
| Last 10 | Horse | Sex | Age | Trainer | Hcp Rating | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1112x211x2 | ALABAMA LASS | M | 4 | Ken & Bev Kelso | 109 |
| 2 | x1277x24x5 | AMEENA | M | 4 | Anthony & Sam Freedman | 103 |
| 3 | 1331163×11 | BARAQIEL | G | 7 | Leon & Troy Corstens & Will Larkin | 112 |
| 4 | x738x2x10x | CHARM STONE | M | 5 | Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) | 107 |
| 5 | 8×1113 | JIMMY RECARD | C | 3 | Ciaron Maher | 86 |
| 6 | 2x11x111x2 | LADY SHENANDOAH | M | 4 | Chris Waller | 114 |
| 7 | 422x1367x1 | MAGIC TIME | M | 6 | Grahame Begg | 113 |
| 8 | 51x69398x5 | PAYLINE | G | 5 | Chris & Corey Munce | 104 |
| 9 | 11382458×5 | PRAIRIE FLOWER | M | 6 | Will Clarken | 96 |
| 10 | x864x427x9 | ROTHFIRE | G | 8 | Robert Heathcote | 110 |
| 11 | 11x12822x0 | SIR SWAY | G | 5 | Sue & Jason Jaensch | 101 |
| 12 | 9x2370x1x6 | SKYBIRD | M | 5 | Mitchell Freedman | 112 |
| 13 | 22x189x441 | TIGER SHARK | M | 5 | Clayton Douglas | 101 |
Table Credit: Racing Australia.
Manikato Stakes Form Guide
The Manikato Stakes form guide has all the facts and stats on the horses in the race including the jockeys, trainers, lead-up form, age and track / distance records. Previous form at Moonee Valley is important while the spread of Manikato Stakes winning ages is wide.
The form guide also shows which barriers the hopefuls are drawn and barrier one produced four winners from 2009-25 with Danleigh (2009), Hay List (2010), Sepoy (2011) and Bella Nipotina (2022) all saluting from the inside alley.
The 2021 Manikato Stakes form was franked with the second placed mare Bella Nipotina finishing third next race behind Nature Strip in Flemington’s VRC Sprint Classic. She returned in 2022 and won the Manikato by over four lengths for her first Group 1 victory.
Imperatriz franked the 2023 Manikato Stakes winning the Champions Sprint (2023) and Black Caviar Lighting (2024) at her two next runs.
The Manikato Stakes 2024 form was franked by the runner-up, Growing Empire, who ran a next-up third in that year’s The Everest trifecta in Sydney followed by a Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes third at Flemington over the Melbourne Cup Carnival.
Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes Form Facts
- Barrier one has produced four Manikato Stakes winners from 2009 – 2025 most recently Bella Nipotina (2022).
- In that time just one winner jumped from wider than barrier nine in the Manikato Stakes field.
- Horses that ran first or second in their lead-up have dominated the Manikato Stakes results over the past 30 years.
- Favourites in Manikato Stakes betting saluted seven times from 2007-25.
2025 Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes Form Guide
A link to our comprehensive Manikato Stakes 2025 Form Guide will be made available for punters the week of the race.
Manikato Stakes Results
The Manikato Stakes race results are known each spring. Punters can see the exact finishing order of all the starters, the margins separating each galloper, the winning time and see how much the Quinella and Trifecta exotics paid.
Loving Gaby (2019) was the last Manikato Stakes winning filly as well as the latest three-year-old Manikato Stakes winner.
Charm Stone (2025) was the last Manikato Stakes winning mare.
Hey Doc holds the current Manikato Stakes race record winning in 2020 in a time of 1 minute 08:76 seconds.
Past Manikato Stakes Winners
Recent Manikato Stakes winners and placegetters dating back to the year 2000 are detailed in the below table.
| Year | Winner | 2nd | 3rd | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Charm Stone | Baraqiel | Magic Time | 1:10.01 |
| 2024 | Southport Tycoon | Growing Empire | I Wish I Win | 1:09.91 |
| 2023 | Imperatriz | I Am Me | Uncommon James | 1:09.59 |
| 2022 | Bella Nipotina | Rothfire | Best Of Bordeaux | 1:11.60 |
| 2021 | Jonker | Bella Nipotina | Ingratiating | 1:09.36 |
| 2020 | Hey Doc | Trekking | Dirty Work | 1:08.7 (R) |
| 2019 | Loving Gaby | Vital Silver | Anaheed | 1:09.2 |
| 2018 | Brave Smash | Spirit Of Valour | Kementari | 1:09.3 |
| 2017 | Hey Doc | In Her Time | Malaguerra | 1:09.9 |
| 2016 | Rebel Dane | Fell Swoop | Japonisme | 1:10.9 |
| 2015 | Chautauqua | Srikandi | Rebel Dane | 1:09.5 |
| 2014 | Lankan Rupee | Angelic Light | Famous Seamus | 1:10.3 |
| 2013 | Buffering | Lucky Nine | Sessions | 1:11.4 |
| 2012 | Sea Siren | Mental | We’re Gonna Rock | 1:11.3 |
| 2011 | Sepoy | Sister Madly | More Joyous | 1:11.0 |
| 2010 | Hay List | True Persuasion | Eagle Falls | 1:09.9 |
| 2009 | Danleigh | Phelan Ready | Nicconi | 1:12.5 |
| 2008 | Typhoon Zed | Absolut Glam | Kaphero | 1:10.6 |
| 2007 | Gold Edition | Vormista | Dr Nipandtuck | 1:10.6 |
| 2006 | Miss Andretti | Dance Hero | Sassbee | 1:09.2 |
| 2005 | Spark Of Life | Perfectly Ready | Our Egyptian Raine | 1:11.5 |
| 2004 | Spark Of Life | Yell | Dilly Dally | 1:13.3 |
| 2003 | Spinning Hill | True Glo | The Big Chill | 1:11.2 |
| 2002 | Spinning Hill | Bel Esprit | Mistegic | 1:10.5 |
| 2001 | Piavonic | Sunline | Falvelon | 1:12.9 |
| 2000 | Sunline | Honour The Name | Miss Pennymoney | 1:11.6 |
FAQ
Who won the 2025 Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes?
The 2025 Manikato Stakes was won by five-year-old I Am Invincible mare Charm Stone in a $31 upset for trainers Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr with jockey Blake Shinn aboard on 56.5kg from barrier 2 to win by 2 lengths on a Good (3) track in a time of 1:10.01.
When is the Manikato Stakes 2025?
Friday September 26, 2025What is the prize money for the Manikato Stakes 2025?
$2,000,000
Where is the Manikato Stakes 2025?
Moonee Valley Racecourse, Feehan Ave, Moonee Ponds VIC 3039.
How do I bet on the 2025Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes?
Bet online or via the latest iOS/Android apps with Ladbrokes.
The first step is to create an account at ladbrokes.com.au. The process is quick and easy!
Once you've created your account you can make a deposit via credit card, or any other of our secure payment methods. Next up, head to the racing page and find the race and runner that's right for you.
Which horse will win the 2025 Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes?
The best way to pick which horse will win the Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes is to take into account the form, assess the barriers, and consider the weight the horse will carry (among other factors). Check out ladbrokes.com.au in the lead up to the race for full form information.