The Cox Plate dominates headlines ahead of this weekend’s racing, but the 2018 Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes is set to be an absolute ripper.
The presence of four internationals has added plenty of intrigue to the Manikato Stakes and it is a fascinating betting race with a host of winning chances.
The Manikato Stakes has produced a couple of big upsets in recent years and could that continue in 2018? We have analysed all 14 horses in the field and our complete 2018 Manikato Stakes tips can be found below.
Brave Smash
Brave Smash clearly didn’t enjoy the heavy track in The Everest and you can put a pen through that run. His form before that had been excellent and he found the line nicely behind Viddora in the Moir Stakes. A return to that sort of form would put him right in this contest and the only real concern is whether he will get too far back from the wide barrier draw. He is right in this race.
Kementari
Kementari is the x-factor in the Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes and, if he brings his best form, he is the horse to beat. He is yet to win this campaign, but his runs in the Missile Stakes and the Memsie Stakes were both excellent. I like the fact that trainer James Cummings has freshened him up after his effort in the Makybe Diva Stakes and he has a very similar profile to last year’s winner Hey Doc. The wide barrier draw could actually prove to be an advantage as it gives Glyn Schofield plenty of options and he could even roll forward on the Lonhro entire. I think that he is the best horse in this field and I am happy to gamble that he produces his best at the $4.40.
Malaguerra
Malaguerra has not been seen at the races since he failed to fire in the Darley Classic 12 months ago. Malaguerra has won well at The Valley in the past and his first-up record is excellent, but it is tough to have a great deal of confidence in a horse that hasn’t been seen at the races for so long. It would not surprise if he ran well, but he looks to have found his right price.
Voodoo Lad
Voodoo Lad has been well-backed ahead of both the Heath 1100 and the Schillaci Stakes and has been unable to get the job done. This race is tougher once again and he would definitely need to bounce back to his best form to have any chance of recording a maiden Group 1 win. In saying that, he has won well at The Valley in the past and the wide barrier draw should ensure that he gets the last crack at his rivals.
Jungle Edge
Jungle Edge chased home Pierata to finish second in what was a strong edition of the Sydney Stakes at The Valley on Everest Day. In saying that, he did produce that performance on a very heavy track at Royal Randwick and he won’t get his favoured conditions at The Valley on Friday night. He will give his rivals something to chase, but I am happy to take him on.
Spirit Of Valour
Spirit Of Valour was easily the best of the internationals in the Schillaci Stakes and he found the line nicely to finish second behind Ball Of Muscle. The wide barrier draw is the big concern for him, but he has led in the past and it would not surprise if Oisin Murphy rode him aggressively in the early stages of this contest.
Intelligence Cross
Intelligence Cross failed to beat home a runner in the Schillaci Stakes and he was outpaced from the outset. It has been a long time between wins and even his best form is probably not good enough to win this contest.
U S Navy Flag
U S Navy Flag is the value runner in the Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes. His race was basically over when he missed the start in The Everest and there is no doubt that he didn’t enjoy the wet track. He will be in trouble once again if he does miss the kick, but if he does jump with the field Ryan Moore should be able to take him straight to the front and that would make him tough to beat. The War Front colt is a horse that is capable of a high-rating performance on his day, as we saw when he won the July Cup, and he is over the odds at his current price.
Fleet Review
Fleet Review failed to fire in the Schillaci Stakes in his Australian debut. His international form is a level below his stablemates and he is another that I am happy to oppose.
Houtzen
Houtzen was narrowly denied by Nature Strip in the McEwen Stakes before she finished a credible fifth behind Viddora in the Moir Stakes. She has won over 1200 metres, but I’ve always been of the opinion that 1000 metres or 1100 metres is her pet trip and that the Moir Stakes was her chance to record a Group 1 win. I can’t see her turning-the-tables on the likes of Brave Smash over 1200 metres.
Tulip
Tulip drops back in trip after she finished fourth in the Blazer Stakes at Flemington last start. This is easily the toughest race that she has contested during her 2018 Spring Racing Carnival campaign and she isn’t going well enough to win a race of this quality.
Spright
Spright returned to the races with fast-finishing third in the Moir Stakes and trainer Garry Frazer has kept her fresh for the Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes. Damien Oliver will be forced to take her right back to the tail of the field from the wide barrier draw and that does make things difficult for her. I’m not sure that she has a good enough turn-of-foot to win.
Invincible Star
Invincible Star earnt a place in The Everest with a stunning barrier trial win at the start of the Spring, but things haven’t gone to plan since. She was beaten as favourite in both the Concorde Stakes and The Shorts before she beat home only a single runner in the Premiere Stakes. There are some serious doubts over her condition heading into the Manikato Stakes.
Sunlight
History is against Sunlight and she will become the first filly in history to win the Manikato Stakes, if she is successful on Saturday. She carried a big weight to victory in the Thoroughbred Club Stakes and could not have been tougher, but taking on open level sprinters in the Manikato Stakes is a completely different assignment. Sunlight has generally produced her best form when she is able to control a race right on the speed and it doesn’t seem like she will be able to do that in this race. The $4.40 currently available does seem under the odds.