2022 Manihi Classic Race Details

Race 8 at Morphettville on Saturday 2 April 2022.

The Manihi Classic is an 1100 metre quality handicap race run by the South Australian Jockey Club at Morphettville.  It is held in early April during the autumn carnival.

You can read more about the race history, lead-up races and past winners on the Manihi Classic page.

Manihi Classic 2022 Preview

Track: Good   Weather: Fine

There are 12 runners lining up for the $107,250 Manihi Classic with four mares and eight geldings. Seven runners are resuming from a spell and three runners last started over 1000m at Morphettville Parks on 19 March. There are 4 four-year-olds, 5 five-year-olds, 2 six-year-olds and a seven-year-old. David Jolly is the only trainer with two runners.

The early favourite is Lombardo who resumed from a spell for 2.5 lengths 6th over 1000m at Flemington. He has won at his only previous run at this track. Second favourite is Rock The Ring who resumes from a 16 week spell and has a good record at this track. Third favourite is Dexelation who resumes from a 20 week spell and won all three starts last campaign.

Heka Express has had an 11 week let-up and had two wins and two 2nds from her last four runs.  Trip hasn’t started for 16 weeks and is likely to race on the speed. Spanish Heirloom has been in the quinella at her last five starts, while Extra Time resumes here and won first-up at Morphettville last campaign.  All other runners are currently 20 to 1 or longer.

2022 Manihi Classic Runner by Runner

1. Dexelation

From the Richard & Chantelle Jolly stable. Richard won this race with Karlovasi in 2017. This topweight has 3 kg more to carry than the second in the weights and 5.5 kg more than the rest of the field. This seven-year-old Ambidexter resumes from a 20 week spell and won all three starts last campaign. He is used to carrying big weights and is one of the main chances.

2. Lombardo

The early favourite in the race has six wins from 12 starts He resumed from a spell for 2.5 lengths 6th over 1000m at Flemington. He has won at his only previous run at this track but has never won second-up.  One of the chances

3. Bold Star

This six-year-old trained by Gordon Richards & Damien Moyle has seven wins and nine places from 36 starts. Gordon Richards won this race with Hand Pass in 2000. Bold Star has placed at Group 2 and Group 3 level and has won a Listed race in the past but was well back in all four runs last campaign. Resumes from a 22 week spell and has drawn wide. Unlikely to feature.

4. Shamino

Won this race in 2020 and trainer Phillip Stokes won this race before then with St Trinians in 2008. Three of his nine wins have been at this track and distance but he has been unplaced in all six runs this preparation. Prefer to watch him go around.

5. Heka Express

She has had an 11 week let-up and had two wins and two 2nds from her last four runs. Jockey Kayla Crowther won this race aboard Shamino in 2020. Heka Express placed at Morphettville Parks when last fresh and I think she can place here.

6. Rock The Ring

This four-year-old from the Tony & Calvin McEvoy stable resumes from a 16 week spell. He has a good record at this track with three wins and a place from five starts here. Goes well first-up and should be in the finish. Tony McEvoy has won this race previously with Concealer in 2018 and The Messina Nymph in 2015.

7. Extra Time

Resumes here and won first-up at Morphettville last campaign. Has three wins and six places from 14 races at the track. Not the worst.

8. Spanish Heirloom

One of two runners sired by Barbados (the other is Silver On Red) She has been in the quinella at her last five starts. In the mix.

9. Trip

One of two runners for David Jolly, and also one of two runners sired by Good Journey, Hasn’t started for 16 weeks and is likely to race on the speed. Rough hope.

10. Perfect Route

Sired by Good Journey. Has drawn the inside barrier and has two places from three runs at this track. This looks too strong.

11. Smokin’ Val

This four-year-old mare has a good record at the track and distance. Trainer Jon O’Connor won this race with Blahnik in 2009 and jockey Dom Tourneur has won aboard Planet Voyage (2013), Kulgrinda (2012) and St Trinians (2008). Not out of it.

12. Silver On Red

Another from the David Jolly team. This five-year-old Barbados gelding is the most lightly-raced runner in the field with only 11 starts. Started this campaign with a win at Murray Bridge then was 2nd at Moonee Valley last start. Jockey Paul Gatt has won this race before with Karlovasi in 2017 and Lake Villa in 1999. Capable of getting into the money.

Manihi Classic 2022 Tips

The following are the top 4 selections for this years race.

Jo’s Tips
1 Dexelation
6 Rock The Ring
5 Heka Express
2 Lombardo

Previews for other races this week

Group 1 Doncaster Mile 2022 (Randwick 1600m)

Group 1 T J Smith Stakes 2022 (Randwick 1200m)

Group 1 Australian Derby 2022 (Randwick 2400m)

Group 1 Inglis Sires 2022 (Randwick 1400m)

Country Championships Final 2022 (Randwick 1400m)

Group 2 Chairman’s Quality 2022 (Randwick 2600m)

Group 3 Carbine Club Stakes 2022 (Randwick 1600m)

Group 3 Adrian Knox Stakes 2022 (Randwick 2000m)

Group 3 P J Bell Stakes 2022 (Randwick 1200m)

Group 3 Kindergarten Stakes 2022 (Randwick 1100m)

Group 2 Karrakatta Plate 2022 (Ascot 1200m)

Listed Old Comrade Stakes 2022 (Ascot 1600m)

Listed Bendigo Guineas 2022 Bendigo 1400m)

Listed Golden Mile 2022 (Bendigo 1600m)

2022 Manihi Classic Results

Result Horse Margin
1st 2 Lombardo
2nd 6 Rock The Ring 1.2 lengths
3rd 4 Shamino 1.8 lengths
4th 5 Heka Express 2 lengths

The track was rated as Good 4.

Scratchings: –