Crowds are back at The Valley for the Cox Plate Carnival this year and Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes Night is packed full of quality.
The Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes is the highlight and one of the strongest editions of the race in recent memory, but there is plenty to like about every race on the card.
We have analysed every single race on the card and our complete 2022 Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes Night tips can be found below.
There isn’t much speed in this race on paper and Kerrin McEvoy should be able to dictate terms on Ocean Miss.
She was very flat last start in the Ladies’ Day Vase, but she is a better mare than that run suggests and this is a genuine drop in quality.
The step-up in trip is a little bit of a query, but you can’t ignore the speed map and I am happy to gamble at the current price.
1 Unit Ocean Miss
You can make a case for just about every horse in the VOBIS Gold Star.
Imperial Lad was poor first-up in the Testa Rossa Stakes, but he produced an improved effort in the Weekend Hussler Stakes and this is a drop in class.
Damian Lane will be able to ride him aggressively from barrier five and he is a horse that does relish The Valley.
He will give his rivals something to catch at a nice price.
1 Unit Imperial Lad
Stylish Enuff is racing in career best form and he is well-placed in the Country Cup Final.
He showed his quality when he never gave his rivals a chance at Donald first-up and he was just as good at Ballarat last start.
The Rich Enuff gelding has speed to burn and Linda Meech will be able to take him straight to the front in the early stages of this contest.
1 Unit Stylish Enuff
Great Barrier Reef is deserving of his status as a clear favourite in this contest.
The well-bred colt has always looked to have plenty of ability and there was a lot to like about his fifth place finish behind Giga Kick in the Danehill Stakes last start.
Barrier one is ideal for him as it will allow James McDonald to be aggressive on him and on exposed form he does look to have the rest of this field covered.
3 Units Great Barrier Reef
Taunting is the horse to beat in the Ladbrokes 55 Second Challenge.
He started his campaign with two straight wins in South Australia and he finished a gallant third behind Shamino and Kemalpasa in the Wylie Handicap at Morphettville.
A repeat of that performance would make him very tough to beat and this horse is a proven winner.
Luck in running is always key in the Ladbrokes 55 Second Challenge and he should have every possible chance from barrier three.
3 Units Taunting
Mister Me is good enough to overcome the wide barrier draw at a nice price in this contest.
He has shown plenty of speed to make it two wins on the trot this campaign and there is no doubt that he has gone to another level.
The wide barrier draw isn’t ideal, but he does have early speed and Dean Yendall can ride him aggressively from the wide barrier draw.
The Zoustar gelding will give his rivals something to catch.
1 Unit Mister Me
This the most interesting edition of the Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes that we have seen for a number of years.
Paulele is the horse to beat and in my opinion, should be a clear favourite.
The Moir Stakes wasn’t run to suit him first-up and he showed plenty of toughness to win the Schillaci Stakes at Caulfield last start.
The Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes has always been his major target and he will have every possible chance in the run from barrier six.
Best Of Bordeaux is a much better chance than his current odds of $13 suggests.
He was gallant in defeat behind In Secret in the Run To The Rose and he was able to return to winning form with an impressive win in the Roman Consul Stakes.
Barrier 14 does make his task tricky, but he does have early speed and Tim Clark can ride him aggressively in the early stages.
2 Units Paulele
1/2 Unit Best Of Bordeaux
Claidheamh Mor is the best bet of the night at The Valley.
He returned to the races with a good win at Bendigo and he was gallant in defeat at Moe last start.
The wet track is an advantage for him and The Valley looks like the perfect track for him as he makes his own luck right on the speed.
$4 is over the odds!
3 Units Claidheamh Mor