2021 Chester Manifold Stakes Day Preview

Chester Manifold Stakes Day will take placing at Flemington on Saturday afternoon and we are set for another quality nine-race program.

The rail will be set out six metres around the entire course and at publish, the track is rated in the Soft (5) range.

Just two of the twelve confirmed starters in Race 1 have previous experience.

There is simply too much that can happen in races like this one for my liking, and I am happy to stay out.

No Bet

Hickok has only been fair in two start back from a spell, but I’m confident that he’ll relish the conditions of this race and is ready to do something third-up.

The Shooting To Win colt finished at the tail of the field down the straight here when resuming, but was better around some quality horses last time out.

2 Units Hicock

White Hibiscus will take winning form into the third on Chester Manifold Stakes Day and looks well placed to make it two in a row.

The Danny O’Brien-trained rarely returns a poor effort, and finished second in BM64 company at Ladbrokes Park when resuming before easily beating her rivals over a mile, last time out.

This is harder, but it looks to be the next logical step.

4 Units White Hibiscus

Saccharo was simply too far back before finishing sixth here at Flemington last time out, and I am happy to give him another chance on Saturday.

The Magnus gelding returned some quality performances in strong company last time in, and returned from a long break to finish third in a BM70 race at Ladbrokes Park; his only other start this preparation.

Fitter third-up, out to a mile and with some relief in the weights, and I think he’ll take a power of beating.

4 Units Saccharo

Zoushine is seeking a hat-trick of wins at Flemington on Saturday and I see no reason why she can’t get it.

The Zoustar filly finished second in maiden company at Ballarat when resuming this time, and while she didn’t quite measure up in the Group 3 Red Roses on Oaks Day, she has won each of her two back from a freshen-up in impressive fashion.

This looks to be about her mark currently and she’ll relish a drop in the weights.

3 Units Zoushine

Group 2 winner Stars Of Carrum will have his second start for Peter Moody at HQ on Saturday and I think that it looks the perfect race for him.

The Fiorente gelding certainly hasn’t been able to reach the same highs he experienced during his three-year-old season, but I thought that there were plenty of things to like about his resuming effort this time in.

There’s no doubt he’ll improve from it, and getting out to 2000m, and I think that he can make his presence felt with only 54kgs in tow.

2 Units E/W Stars Of Carrum

King Of Hastings is a dual acceptor, but I think that he’ll take plenty of beating if he does indeed step out in the Chester Manifold Stakes.

King Of Hastings returned to the races in typically good form last time, winning the Golden Topaz at Swan Hill most notably.

He clearly needed the run when he finished sixth in the Listed Christmas Stakes here on Boxing Day, but he is a horse that tends to enjoy big improvement into his second-up start, and he hasn’t finished worse than second in three previous starts at this point of his preparation.

4 Units King Of Hastings

This shapes as one of the day’s more open contests, but Tycoon Bec puts an unbeaten record on the line, and I am happy to have something small on.

Tycoon Bec immediately stamped herself as a runner to follow when winning easily on debut at Kyneton, and she made a successful transition to city company when saluting again at The Valley last time out.

She gets into this race well under the conditions and can continue her rise through the grades.

2 Units Tycoon Bec

We’re faced with a little under $7 the field at publish and there is a case to be made for many of these runners.

Messerschmitt hasn’t shown his best form this prep, but he has still returned some competitive efforts and looks a touch of overs at his current price ($16 at publish).

The All Too Hard gelding has raced well in decent company throughout his career, and has typically kept his best for the straight at Flemington.

1 Unit E/W Messerschmitt