Manikato Stakes – 2022

Track: Heavy  Weather: Showers

Following the Friday night meeting being abandoned the race was held as race 11 at the Saturday Cox Plate meeting.

A capacity field of fourteen plus a further four emergencies have accepted for the $1,000,000 Group 1 Manikato Stakes.  There looks good speed on paper here with the likes of Coolangatta and Best Of Bordaeux vying for the front.

Last start Caulfield winner Paulele is the current favourite for the formidable pairing of James McDonald and James Cummings – they also combine with Cox Plate favourite Anamoe on Saturday & you can click here for our full runner by runner preview of the 2022 Cox Plate.  Bella Nipotina is a quality mare who ran second in this race last year.  Coolangatta won the Moir last start, while Rothfire was a length or two below his last time and is capable of bouncing back here.  The remaining runners are longer than $10-1.

1. Behemoth (16)

The big boy from South Australia returns to Victoria.  Is impossible to have on recent form although has won a trial since his last run.  Gets no favours from the barrier.

2. Eleven Eleven (7)

Greg Hickman runner who is first up here off the back of winning a recent Randwick trial.  He was third in the Group 1 Kingsford Cup over 1300m in May.  Draws well and has Bowman.

3. Streets Of Avalon (10)

15 career starts on wet ground and is yet to win.  Passing.

4. The Inferno (17)

Ran on well first up, then never came on in the Moir.  Barrier 17 makes it tough however getting back to 1200m suits and he keeps the hottest rider in Vic at the moment – Blake Shinn.

5. Paulele (6)

Got going late over 1000m here first up, then was a strong winner at Caulfield despite being smacked in the face with an accidental whip at the 100.  Godolphin / McDonald flying and this looks his grand final.  Major player.

6. Shaquero (12)

Recent form is very ordinary.  Waller a freak but surely not here!

7. Rothfire (5)

Was heavily supported in betting in the Moir and was far from disgraced beaten 1.8 lengths.  Could end up with a dream tag with an inform Damian Lane in the saddle.  One for the SP profile backers.

8. The Astrologist (8)

Another who should get the right sort of run.  Was fourth in the Gilgai last start and is fitter again third up.  Will be there abouts.

9. September Run (13)

Quality mare trained by Chris Waller.  Won the William Reid here in March.  Didn’t have much luck in the Moir and has jumped out well at Flemington in between runs.  Genuine each way chance at a big price.

10. Bella Nipotina (2)

Was a very narrow second in this race last year and clearly the run of the race in the Moir.  With even luck she will go close again here.

11. Roch ‘N’ Horse (15)

Two good seconds at Flemington at his last two.  Is going to need some luck from the gate (15) but if he gets it he is capable of running top three here.

12. Jamaea (9)

Has been there abouts in three Sydney runs this prep.  Not sure his form is good enough for this.

13. Best Of Bordeaux (14)

Talented three year old who lead all the way to win on a bottomless track at Randwick last start.  Like the booking of Tim Clark.  Is in the mix if he can get across with out doing too much work.

14. Coolangata (1)

Lead all the way to win the Moir here over 1000m.  Can find the top again here.  1200m with pressure on is the query.

15. Savatoxl  (18) – 1st Emergency

Has a tidy record but like a few of these has struggled over the last 12 months to find his best.  Note that he has been $201 into $81 in early betting.

16. General Beau  (11) – 2nd Emergency

Jumped out well leading into his first up run at Caulfield.  Would of liked to see him do a bit more to get excited about him here.

17. In The Boat (3) – 3rd Emergency

Doesn’t go in the wet and therefor looks likely to scratch.

18. Sweet Ride (4) – 4th Emergency

Doubt he gets a run here.  Rough top four chance if he does.

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

Jo’s Tips	Lewis’ Tips	Bryce’s Tips
5 Paulele	5 Paulele	11  Roch ‘N’ Horse + 7 Rothfire
14 Coolangatta	9 September Run
10 Bella Nipotina	10 Bella Nipotina	8 The Astrologist
13 Best Of Bordeaux	13 Best Of Bordeaux	5 Paulele