An enormous weekend of racing gets underway with the Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes at The Valley on Friday night!
A capacity field of 14 sprinters, as well as four emergencies, have been accepted for the Group 1 race and this is one of the strongest edition’s of the race that we have seen in a few years.
Our thoughts on every single runner can be found in our 2022 Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes preview.
1. Behemoth (16)
It has been a while since we saw the best of Behemoth and it is tough to back him off his recent form.
His runs in both the Spring Stakes and the Wylie Handicap were very poor and this race is even tougher.
The wide barrier draw doesn’t make his task easier.
2. Eleven Eleven (7)
Eleven Eleven will return to the races in the Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes.
He does have a strong first-up record and he is capable of a high-rating performance on his day, but I’m not sure that The Valley is the ideal track for him.
$17 is around the right price.
3. Streets Of Avalon (10)
Streets Of Avalon is a two-time Group 1 winner, but his best days do seem to be behind him.
He beat home only a single runner in the Bletchingly Stakes first-up and it is impossible to back him off his last start effort in the P.B. Lawrence Stakes.
4. The Inferno (17)
The Inferno finished fourth behind Rothfire in the McEwen Stakes before he got too far back in the Moir Stakes last start.
It has been a while since we saw him perform at his best and the wide barrier draw means that he will get a long way back in the run.
5. Paulele (6)
Paulele is the horse to beat in the Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes.
The race wasn’t run to suit him first-up in the Moir Stakes and his last start win in the Schillachi Stakes was impressive.
Barrier six is ideal and he will have every possible chance in the run with James McDonald in the saddle.
I’m surprised that $3.70 is available and I expect him to be well-backed throughout the week.
6. Shaquero (12)
Shaquero is a $201 chance for a reason.
It has been a long time since he performed at this level and he was very poor first-up in the Greg Davis Handicap as well as the Gilgai Stakes.
7. Rothfire (5)
Rothfire is an interesting runner in the Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes.
His first-up win in the McEwen Stakes was full of merit, but he was unable to replicate that effort after having every possible chance in the Moir Stakes.
He is too good a horse not to bounce back in this contest and I expect him to be in the mix once again.
$7 is the right price.
8. The Astrologist (8)
The Astrologist has generally produced his best form at Flemington and I’m not sure that The Valley is the ideal track for him.
His first-up effort in the Bobbie Lewis Quality was fairly average and he improved slightly in the Gilgai Stakes but even his best form is unlikely to be good enough to win a Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes of this quality.
9. September Run (13)
September Run is an interesting runner in the Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes field.
The Valley doesn’t seem like the ideal track for her, but she won the William Reid Stakes over this track and distance earlier this year in scintillating fashion.
Her first-up effort in the Moir Stakes can be ignored as she got way too far back and she is better suited over 1200 metres.
Barrier 13 is a big concern thoguh and she will get a long way back in the run.
10. Bella Nipotina (2)
Bella Nipotina is racing in career best form and is clearly enjoying The Valley.
She was excellent first-up in the Carlyon Stakes and she was unlucky not to scored a maiden Group 1 win when she finished second behind Coolangatta in the Moir Stakes.
Ciaron Maher and David Eustace have her absolutely flying and there is no reason she won’t be right in the mix once again.
11. Roch ‘N’ Horse (15)
Roch ‘N’ Horse continues to be an underrated sprinter.
She won the Newmarket Handicap at a big price earlier this year and she has finished second in both the Bobbie Lewis Quality and the Gilgai Stakes this campaign.
Barrier 15 isn’t ideal for her and she is yet to reproduce her Flemington form at any other track.
12. Jamaea (9)
Jamaea is a classy mare, but I’m not sure that this year’s Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes is the right race for her.
She will get a long way back from barrier nine, which isn’t ideal at The Valley, and she has a very poor record in the wet.
The Headwater mare is one of my favourite mares, but I have to take her on in this contest.
13. Best Of Bordeaux (14)
Best Of Bordeaux is the value runner in the Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes.
His first-up effort in the San Domenico Stakes was poor, but he has bounced back to his best form in both the Run To The Rose and the Roman Consul Stakes.
He is a proven performer on a heavy track and Tim Clark will be able to ride him aggressively from the wide barrier draw.
The Snitzel entire will be in the race for a long way.
14. Coolangatta (1)
Coolangatta claimed a maiden Group 1 win in the Moir Stakes last start and the market suggests that she will be right in the mix once again.
I am happy to take her on.
Everything went perfectly for her in the Moir Stakes and I think that this race is tougher.
I don’t think barrier one suits and she will need to ping the gates to be a genuine winning chance.
15. Savatoxl (18)
Savatoxl is the first emergency in the Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes field.
His last start at Flemington was very poor and it has been a year since he performed at anywhere near his best.
16. General Beau (11)
General Beau is the second emergency in the Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes field.
17. In The Boat (3)
In The Boat is the third emergency in the Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes field.
18. Sweet Ride (4)
Sweet Ride is the fourth emergency in the Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes field.