Manikato Stakes – 2020

Track: Good   Weather: Fine

There is a field of 11 runners for the $1,000,000 Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes. Four of them had their last start in the Group 2 Schillaci Stakes on 10 October, three in the Group 1 Moir Stakes on 25 September, and one each in The Everest on 17 October, Group 3 Northwood Plume Stakes on 10 October and the Group 2 Gilgai Stakes on 3 October. Five of the runners are mares. The early favourite is Trekking who finished 4th in the Everest last start after 2nd in the Moir Stakes. Second favourite is Dirty Work who ran on strongly to get up on the line for a narrow win in the Gilgai Stakes last start. Third favourite is Pippie who won the Moir Stakes at this track last outing and has won six of her 12 starts.

Hey Doc is the oldest runner this year and won this race as a four-year-old in 2017. He was less than a length from the winner in the Schillaci last start, while Diamond Effort was 0.1 length 2nd in the Schillaci and has won eight of her 16 startsd. Brooklyn Hustle finished 1.05 lengths 4th in the Moir and goes well at this track. Bella Vella came 3rd in the Moir stakes after winning four in a row prior to that. Kementari ran 3rd in this race in 2018 and was 0.95 length 4th in the Gilgai last start, while Lyre was 1.15 lengths 4th in the Northwood Plume.  The other two runners are currently 20 to 1 or longer.

1. Trekking

One of two runners trained by James Cummings, this six-year-old Street Cry gelding has had two starts this preparation and finished 4th in the Everest last start after 2nd in the Moir Stakes. Four of his ten wins have been over this distance and he has excellent third-up statistics. One of the main chances.

2. Hey Doc

This seven-year-old is the oldest runner this year and won this race as a four-year-old in 2017. He was less than a length from the winner in the Schillaci last start, goes well at this track and at this distance and should run well.

3. Kementari

He ran 3rd in this race in 2018 at his only start at Moonee Valley and was 0.95 length 4th in the Gilgai last start. Could place.

4. Splintex

He has got closer to the winner with each of his three starts this preparation and has won five of his 12 starts. He finished a length 5th in the Gilgai Stakes last start but has not raced at Group 1 level before and might find this too tough.

5. Order Of Command

Finished last in the Schillaci Stakes and don’t expect him to be in the finish here.

6. Dirty Work

He jumped awkwardly and settled last 5 lengths off the pace but still ran on strongly to get up on the line for a narrow win in the Gilgai Stakes last start. That was a great run and I expect him to feature here and probably win.

7. Lyre

Was 1.15 lengths 4th in the Northwood Plume Stakes last outing, which is not good enough to win here.

8. Pippie

This Written Tycoon mare is a first-up specialist winning the Oakleigh Plate first-up in February and the Group 1 Moir Stakes at this track last outing, She has won six of her 12 starts but I’m not sure she’ll have enough at the end of 1200m second-up to win this.

9. Bella Vella

A Moonee Valley star with 3 wins and 2 places from 5 starts here, this Commands mare was 3rd in the Moir stakes after winning four in a row prior to that. She looked as if she needed further and I think she will be in the finish here.

10. Diamond Effort

She was 0.1 length 2nd in the Schillaci and has won eight of her 16 starts. Not the worst.

11. Brooklyn Hustle

Finished 1.05 lengths 4th in the Moir and goes well at this track. A rough place hope.

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

Jo’s Tips
6 Dirty Work
1 Trekking
2 Hey Doc
9 Bella Vella

Group 3 Geelong Cup 2020 (Geelong 2400m)

Group 1 Cox Plate 2020 (Moonee Valley 2040m)

Group 2 Moonee Valley Vase 2020 (Moonee Valley 2040m)

Group 2 Moonee Valley Fillies Classic 2020 (Moonee Valley 1600m)

Group 3 Red Anchor Stakes 2020 (Moonee Valley 1200m)

Listed William Crockett Stakes 2020 (Moonee Valley 1200m)