The Manikato Stakes is a Group 1 race run under Weight For Age conditions and is the feature race at Moonee Valley on the night before Cox Plate Day. It is run over 1200m around the tight Moonee Valley circuit and is the only Group 1 race on the card.
The Manikato Stakes 2022 will be run on Friday 21st October with total prize money of $2,000,000.
Why is the Manikato Stakes Popular?
The Manikato Stakes is the feature race on the Friday night before Cox Plate Day and is one of the most famous race nights on the calendar. Racegoers love going to the inner suburban track at “The Valley”, a smaller race track than the other tracks in Melbourne, and the atmosphere on Manikato Stakes night is electric. There is excellent racing on the track and a great social night in Melbourne.
The race threw some exciting results, with CHAUTAUQUA a popular winner in 2015 and the last favourite to have won the race.
Past Winners of the Manikato Stakes
The Group 1 Manikato Stakes has an impressive honour roll of winners, including superstars SUNLINE, MISS ANDRETTI and CHAUTAUQUA. SPARK OF LIFE (2002-2003) and SPINNING HILL (2000–2001) are the only horses to have recorded back-to-back wins, while HEY DOC won the race in 2017 and 2020, making those three horses the only multiple winners of the race since it was elevated to Group 1 status
How To Bet On The Manikato Stakes
The phrase “Horses For Courses” may have been invented by a punter trying to bet over 1200m at Moonee Valley! The tight circuit favours horses with good early speed, but those horses can go too fast too early and be run down in the straight. At the same time, those horses that get back early may need to come too wide in the temperate and will cover too much ground!
Despite their significant weight advantage at weight-for-age, only two 3yos have recently won the Manikato Stakes, LOVING GABY (2019) and SEPOY (2011). Barrier 1 has the most recent wins with three horses saluting from the inside gate, but many other horses from the inside draws have struggled to get clear running until too late and are hard luck stories!
While finding the winner of the 2022 Manikato Stakes will not be easy, it will be worthwhile with a reasonable price, the norm. Astute bettors will look for well-drawn horses with a good record at The Valley and can sit handy to the speed. Good luck!
2022 Manikato Stakes Predictions & Odds
Palmerbet is a great source of betting information that provides free horse racing tips and horse racing previews as well as updated betting markets, breaking news and information about the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival for 2022. They provide up-to-date information on all Group 1 racing including Manikato Stakes tips.
Visit Palmerbet.com.au or download the Palmerbet app via the app store.
