Group 1 Manikato Stakes betting guide, form and free tips

Manikato Stakes

THE Group 1 $1 million Manikato Stakes is one of the most exciting races in Australia as some of the countries fastest sprinters take on Moonee Valley at night.

It’s a race which has been won by many champion sprinters and the Hawkes-trained Chautauqua will be looking to join that elite group.

There are eight races on the card at Moonee Valley on Friday night which starts at 6.30pm with the Sweeney Estate Agents Handicap and punters will get a matched bonus bet at CrownBet if your horse runs second or third in the Manikato Stakes at 9.30pm.

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Race 1 – Sweeney Estate Agents Handicap (1000m)

Conchita didn’t fire at Caulfield last start, but it showed good ability in Sydney and that form has stood up all campaign. The three-year-old won the Kirkham Stakes at Randwick on debut before winning another highly-regarded race on the same track. It likely needed the run going left-handed last start and punters should give it another chance.

David Jolly lines up Showpero which won its first two career starts by am average of 2.5 lengths. The three-year-old filly lined up in the Lightning Stakes at Morphettville last start where it finished third behind Viddora and that form looks nice for this. Dwayne Dunn gets the ride from the inside barrier and it will likely try lead from there.

Highland Beat drops back in grade after running seventh in the Blue Sapphire Stakes behind Flying Artie. The talented Hayes/Dabernig-trained colt isn’t making a habit of winning, but it finished second behind Russian Revolution which is cracking form. The weight of 60kg hurts, but respect its ability.

Race 1 tip: Showpero to win ($2.90) at CrownBet.com.au

Race 2 – Strathmore Community Bank Country Cup (1600m)

Profit Share is an enigmatic type which has ability at this level and is trained by Darren Weir. The five-time winner finished second in the Colraine Cup last start and it has placed at Moonee Valley. The lack of winning form is an obvious concern, but there was a time when Profit Share was the short-priced favourite in metropolitan races so don’t rule it out.

Mihany almost defeated Royal Rapture last start which is solid form. The Hayes/Dabernig-trained gelding won on this track by 3.5 lengths prior to that effort and despite rising in weight, it should be the testing material in the field given its recent run of form.

Refulgent is a three-time winner at this distance from 14 starts and it has run well at Moonee Valley in the past. The Darren Weir-trained horse was the beaten favourite last start, but its run for second in the Gold Nugget at Caulfield was good and it could push them close in this.

Race 2 tip: Mihany to win ($2.35) at Sportsbet.com.au

Race 3 – Chandler Macleod Handicap (2040m)

Nevis has a unique form line of 13 starts for five wins and no placings. The Robert Hickmott-trained gelding has had two starts since a spell for no result, but it will appreciate the rise in distance and you can’t discount this stable during the spring carnival. Jockey Katelyn Mallyon will likely head forward and give them something to chase.

Tarquin battled on well behind Real Love in the JRA Cup at Moonee Valley and it will be well-primed for another good run here. The John O’Shea-trained gelding was a winner at Caulfield in April, but it faced some tough opposition following that and this grade looks more its go. Expect it to be well-backed with James McDonald in the saddle.

Nozomi comes into this having won its last start at Caulfield and its form prior might appear average, but there was some merit in those efforts. The Lee and Anthony Freedman-trained gelding gives Godolphin another chance in the race and with form behind Bon Aurum and Royal Rapture, it deserves to be noticed. Might go under the radar and Dwayne Dunn riding helps.

Race 3 tip: Tarquin to win ($4) at Bet365.com.au

Race 4 – LF Sign Group Handicap (2040m)

Gabella battled on well behind Euro Angel last start and it will find this much easier. The seven-year-old finished eighth on that occasion, but was under four lengths from the winner and its best form comes when it steps up over this distance. Any easing of the track won’t be an issue as it has form on rain-affected surfaces.

Replique is a former New Zealand mare which won the Southland Guineas before heading to the Waterhouse/Bott stables. It hasn’t been able to find its best form in Australia, but this track should suit and Dwayne Dunn is a key booking. Chance in an even race.

Tidy Prophet is a nine-time winner which rarely runs a bad race. The six-year-old is having its first start at Moonee Valley which is always a concern, but it won well two starts back and it wasn’t far behind Sandhill Warrior last start. Not the worst here.

Race 4 tip: Gabella to win ($4) at CrownBet.com.au

Race 5 – Inglis 55 Second Challenge (955m)

O’malley looked a potential group horse when it won at Moonee Valley in early 2015, but an injury sidelined the gelding and it hasn’t won since. There have been positive signs its last two starts which included a third placing behind Heatherly and a fifth behind Wild Rain. It should put itself in the race and be tough to beat. $5 with bookmakers.

Golden Spin was an underrated type last campaign despite winning four of its first six starts. The Freedman-trained horse put four consecutive wins together before ending its campaign with a second placing behind Puritan in the Manfred Stakes. Tricky barrier draw of 12 to contend with here, but punters are confident at $3.80.

Brockhoff has won two from three fresh up and it has the same record at this distance. The Ciaron Maher-trained horse will appreciate any easing of the track having won both starts on a slow surface and its form from last campaign should be good enough to feature in this. Tough field, but worthy of attention.

Race 5 tip: Brockhoff to win ($5) at Sportsbet.com.au

Race 6 – Mitchelson Wines R90 Handicap (1500m)

Mr Individual was a stylish winner last start when beating subsequent winner Plot The Course by 1.5 lengths. The four-year-old has the ability to lead the field and kick strongly, which suits perfectly for Moonee Valley and it only needs some early luck from the wide draw. $4.20 is a decent price.

Rageese has ability and it ran on well behind Chetwood at Caulfield last start. The Darren Weir-trained horse won back-to-back races in April and after two runs back this campaign it should be in fit order. Barrier two is ideal and bookmakers have it short at $2.60.

Snake Charmer is a three-time winner which comes into this with good form and Dunn takes the ride. Trainer Phillip Stokes rarely brings one to Melbourne without the intention of winning and $6 looks a fair price.

Race 6 tip: Rageese to win ($2.60) at Bet365.com.au

Race 7 – Group 1 Manikato Stakes (1200m)

Golden Slipper winner Capitalist has been well supported following its third in the Roman Consul Stakes. The Snowden-trained colt opened at $6.50 and is currently on the second line of betting at $5.50. It ran good sectionals behind Russian Revolution last start and the light weight of 53kg makes it a real danger in this. If it steals a break on the turn, it could be curtains.

Chautauqua was extremely disappointing last time out at Moonee Valley and bookmakers are easing it in the market. After opening at $2.20 it has now drifted to $2.40 and there seems to be a lack of confidence with punters. It’s still a classy sprinter, but tactics will be interesting from the inside barrier which will make it tough. Class runner of the field, but we’ll need to see more than it showed last start.

The Quarterback was a stylish winner last start and it showed its true class when winning the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap at Flemington in March. The Valley isn’t the ideal track for the six-year-old, but it’s a four-time winner at this distance and the $17 is a great value price.

Race 7 tip: Capitalist to win ($5.50) at Sportsbet.com.au

Race 8 – Yulong Park Handicap (1200m)

Handsome Tycoon fought hard when second last start at Caulfield and it’s a five-time winner at this distance. The Jarrod McLean-trained gelding didn’t fire at the top level three starts back, but it has the ability to sit on the pace and kick strongly. Each way hope at $7.50.

Sir Bacchus was desperately unlucky last start on this track where it was searching for room on the inside, but no luck came. The Chris Waller-trained gelding drops in weight for this which is ideal and the four-time winner at this distance looks set for another big effort. $2.80 is a great price and it looks a great bet to end the night.

Rough Justice is finding it hard to win a race, but it closed well behind Chetwood last start and that form should be a good form guide. It has good form on this track with one win and two placings from five starts, so respect at odds of $9.

Race 9 tip: Sir Bacchus to win ($2.80) at WilliamHill.com.au

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