MANIKATO STAKES 2019 PREVIEW
MOONEE VALLEY RACE 7 – 21:30 AEDT
OPEN G1
1200m
$1,000,000
GOOD 4
Rail TRUE entire
| # | Form | Horse | Trainer | Jockey (barrier) | Weight (kg) | Current Price |
| 1 | x153x | ROCK MAGIC | CHRIS GANGEMI | JARRAD NOSKE (5) | 58.5 | $21 |
| 2 | 10x93 | THE BOSTONIAN | T PIKE | D LANE (3) | 58.5 | $6.50 |
| 3 | 20x14 | FAATINAH | D & B HAYES & T DABERNIG | JAMIE KAH (8) | 58.5 | $17 |
| 4 | 4x456 | ASHLOR | D MCCARTHY | D W STACKHOUSE (7) | 58.5 | $81 |
| 5 | x13x4 | VITAL SILVER | DANIEL & BEN PEARCE | B MELHAM (9) | 58.5 | $23 |
| 6 | 72x22 | TROPE | M HAWKES | D DUNN (10) | 58.5 | $9.50 |
| 7 | 430x0 | WINTER BRIDE | A J & T EDMONDS | TOMMY BERRY (6) | 56.5 | $46 |
| 8 | x0466 | MERYL | L CURTIS | D YENDALL (4) | 56.5 | $41 |
| 9 | x1211 | BIVOUAC | JAMES CUMMINGS | K MCEVOY (1) | 53.0 | $1.85 |
| 10 | x9351 | ANAHEED | P & P SNOWDEN | TIM CLARK (11) | 51.0 | $16 |
| 11 | 22x12 | LOVING GABY | C MAHER & D EUSTACE | C WILLIAMS (2) | 51.0 | $9.50 |
OVERVIEW
The first of two Group 1’s at Moonee Valley’s sensational Cox Plate weekend takes place on Friday night with the Manikato Stakes. The 2019 field looks somewhat weaker than previous years, with most of the top sprinters running in The Everest last weekend. The race still has much intrigue however, with the highly fancied Bivouac starting at a short price. Brave Smash took out the race last year.
SPEED MAP
Looks to be a franticly run edition of the Manikato Stakes with lots of speed engaged out wide through the likes of Faatinah, Vital Silver and Anaheed who will all be jostling for an on-pace position. Runners inside them may also push forward. The race looks to be set up for Trope who looks to be one of the only true backmarkers.
KEY RUNNERS
- THE BOSTONIAN ($6.50)
Improving with each run this preparation; was particularly happy with his last start run in the Group 2 Schillaci Stakes where at the 200m he loomed to win but unfortunately Trekking and Ball of Muscle proved too strong. Group 1 winner who will be fitter here and looks one of the main chances.
- TROPE ($9.50)
Looks to be the one most suited by the frantic tempo up front and maybe with the rail in TRUE he can slingshot past the tiring on pace runners in the straight. Loved his past two runs in the Show County and the Theo Marks, where both times he was at the rear and hit the line strongly. First go at Group 1 level however.
- BIVOUAC ($1.85)
Bivouac no doubt brings the best form into the race after defeating the now Everest winner Yes Yes Yes in the Group 1 Golden Rose and Group 2 Run to the Rose in his past two starts. That form is scintillating and no doubt Bivouac would have given The Everest a shake last week. Where he maps here is somewhat concerning as he is likely to be either bottled up on the fence or engaged in a speed battle. Will need a good ride from Kerrin McEvoy.
BLUEY’S PICK
- TROPE ($9.50)
Bivouac looks a deserved favourite but at such a short price I’m looking for value elsewhere. Trope jumps off the page in this race. With so much pressure up front he might be able to finally unleash that withering burst of speed and finish over the top of his rivals. At nearly double figure odds, I’m willing to take that chance.
