This Friday night sees the running of the Group 1 Manikato Stakes. TopBetta is running a stack of tournaments around this meeting at Moonee Valley so this preview can hopefully help you on your winning way!
The Manikato Stakes is a Group 1 1200m sprint race around Moonee Valley and one of the feature events on the Australian sprinting calendar. Chautauqua who holds the title of Worlds Best Sprinter is the defending champion and also the early favourite at $2.50.
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The Field
What a field! Chautauqua is arguably the world’s best sprinter, Buffering is the people’s champ, Capitalist is the Golden Slipper winner and then we have a stack of Group 1 winners in their own right blended in. It is sure to be a great betting race.
The Speed Map
**Speed maps created using the functionality on punters.com.au**
What Dwayne Dunn does with Chautauqua from barrier one is vitally important to the shape of the race. Will they concede and drift back to last or will they try and get on Fell Swoop’s back? Track pattern will play it’s part in determining tactics with the best position in running likely to be up on the speed and slightly off the fence we think.
Buffering is the clear leader on paper and Capitalist and Holler should cross to sit in behind the old warrior while Fell Swoop will likely get the drop in behind all three. You can raffle the spots in running among the other runners who could be anywhere from handy to last. The Quarterback probably goes back to near last and in this quality of race around the Valley at Weight For Age level that should all but rule him out.
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Field Overview
The defending champion (see below) Chautauqua is without doubt, the horse to beat but we still have doubts on his ability to handle The Valley. The runs don’t always pan out like they did for him here last year but the last 150m of his first-up effort at this track over 1000m suggested he is flying and will be motoring home.
Holler has a good record here but comes in without a public trial which has to be a worry when stepping into a high pressure open class Group 1 race. Lucky Hussler was well tipped first-up from the Weir stable but failed to fire a shot. He’s better suited at 1400m and has his work cut out keeping up with this lot on recent ratings.
Fell Swoop has good tactical speed and almost always puts himself into a prominent position and it appears to be in different this time around from barrier three. Capitalist is the Golden Slipper champ who’s fit but really needs a dry track, if you like him wait and see how much rain comes down in the afternoon.
English was kept fresh after a flat run in Sydney before running well in what is shaping as a strong form race in Sydney before coming down for this race. Her best has her in the finish but is she going that well? The Quarterback has turned into somewhat of a legend killer but from that wide gate will likely have to circle this field from last.
Buffering is the old warhorse who loves The Valley and doesn’t have as many horses battling for the speed this time on paper. He’ll give a brave sight but with the rail in the True position we can see him being run over late. Rebel Dane is just a non-winner who’s peak is behind him while the Chris Waller trained Japonisme is racing below his best. Under The Louvre will run on but at WFA in this type race will likely find a few too slick.
Tournament Betting Advice
Do you take $3.30 for Fell Swoop to run in the first three or $2.50 for Chautauqua to win? Seems an easy choice to us! Fell Swoop will get every possible chance in behind the speed of Buffering and Capitalist. If Bowman can slide off their backs he’ll be very hard to hold out and looks a great place bet!