2026 Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes Day Preview

TALES OF TIME (4) takes winning form and improvement into the first on Ladbrokes Manikato Day.

The Pinatubo colt has only made three appearances at the races since debuting but has certainly stamped himself as one to follow by winning twice, highlighted by an easy effort over 1000m at Sandown when resuming.

With natural improvement, he can go on with it this week.

It’s hard to argue with the form of PRETTY BABY (6) leading into the Jim Maloney Stakes.

Having broken her maiden in the Listed Oaklands Stakes down in South Australia third up from a spell, Pretty Baby hasn’t taken a backwards step in winning each of her three subsequent starts, including the Atlantic Jewel Stakes three weeks ago.

In peak order and with Jamie Melham retaining the ride, she’s the one to beat again.

This is a wide-open edition of the JRA Cup with plenty of winning chances engaged, including the third-up SUNTORA (6), who I’ve ultimately put on top.

Suntora’s condition gave out a little when finishing sixth in BM100 company at Caulfield first up this time, but she turned in an improved performance to finish on the placegetters’ heels over 1700m at Flemington last time out.

With further improvement this week, she’ll relish another rise in trip and at around the $7 mark (at publish), we can have something on each way.

With a case to be made for a few of them in the 2026 Scarborough Stakes field, I’m keen to have something on GHANA’S AKAN (13) at double figure quote ($12 at publish).

Ghana’s Akan is one of the better credentialled maidens in work, having finished the runner up in four of seven starts since debuting and almost exclusively having stepped out in black type and featured company.

She’s improved for each of three runs back this time, fishing the runner up in the Atlantic Jewel Stakes last time out and under Mark Zahra this week, she can be right in the finish again.

Just six horses will chase ballot-free entry into the Ladbrokes Cox Plate in Sunday’s Feehan Stakes, including two-time and defending champion, PRIDE OF JENNI (3).

She’ll undoubtedly go forward, run them along and look to kick away, but I’m actually going to take her on this week with one that is second up and set for a big performance – ZAMBARDO (4).

Zambardo has been relatively low flying throughout his career, and he turned in several particularly strong performances last spring, winning four races in succession before finishing second behind Via Sistina in the Group 1 Champions Stakes.

Having hit the line to fill the minors behind Evaporate over a mile at Sandown when resuming, he’s a winner at this point of his preparation previously and will get his chance in this small field under Jamie Melham.

There’s a case to be made for a few of them in the Stutt Stakes field but SOMETHINGS BURNIN’ (6) looks well placed in my opinion and could prove to be the value in the market.

Somethings Burnin’ has enjoyed a smart rise to prominence this time in, breaking his maiden over 1200m at Sandown fresh from a break before a couple of nice performances up in grade at his two latest.

Having kept his best work for late when third behind two horses that settled closer in the Exford Plate last time out, the rise in trip this week suits and he Damian Lane can have him a little handier this time.

I’m happy to give Sass Appeal another chance in Sunday’s Ladbrokes Stocks Stakes.

Having ended her debut prep with four consecutive wins, SASS APPEAL (4) picked up where she left off when winning a strong BM100 contest over 1400m at Flemington last month.

Since then, she’s been well in the market but ultimately finished fourth in races over 1400m here and at Listed level at Flemington, but that latest run particularly looked to be one of a horse looking for the mile.

She gets that this week, and a senior hoop in Damian Lane launching from a perfect barrier.

This is an outstanding edition of the Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes and with a case to be made for just about all of them, I’m keen to have an each way play on the progressive EXTRAGALACTIC (2).

Extragalactic enjoyed a meteoric rise to prominence during her autumn preparation and went to the paddock after only just missing in Group 1 company.

There’s no doubt that she was doing her best work last and through the line in the Moir Stakes first up from a spell and with natural improvement, and James McDonald in the saddle, the Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes shapes as the perfect feature race for her.

HARRY’S YACHT (5) is second up and well placed in a Testa Rossa Stakes on Sunday.

He turned in some fine performances during his autumn and winter prep this year, winning a couple of nice races here at Caulfield most notably, while he returned to action with a credible performance behind Oliveanotherday in Group 3 company last month.

Having been kept up to the mark with a trial since that race, this does look to be a drop in class and he is drawn to receive the run of the race under Benny Allen.