The bright lights at The Valley come to life again on Friday night with the Group 1 Manikato Stakes set to be run and won.
Some of the country’s top sprinters have accepted for the $2 million feature, including last-start Moir Stakes winner Baraqiel and the multiple Group 1 winner, Lady Shenandoah.
Earlier on the program, Treasurethe Moment makes her second start as a very short favourite in the Feehan Stakes, while we’ve also got three other black-type races on offer, including the Stutt Stakes, the Scarborough Stakes, and the Stocks Stakes.
For a comprehensive look at all eight contests, keep reading our Manikato Stakes Night Preview here!
DUKE ATREIDES (2) should find this a touch easier after taking on Group 3 company last month in the McNeil Stakes at Caulfield.
The Written Tycoon colt was thrown in the deep end after leading all the way at Sandown to win his maiden the start prior, failing to repeat the dose after blowing the start and finding himself too far back to score.
He’s drawn a little awkwardly here in barrier 7, but with the potential for another wet track, I think he could be a big improver.
GRAND LARCENY (8) is drawn to get the gun run here under Blake Shinn.
The Hawkes-trained speedster out of Zoustar has compiled a handy fresh record (4:1-0-1) to go with a win here at The Valley in late November last year where he improved from midfield to go on and win by a length.
He’s been kept on ice for his latest effort at Randwick in late May on a very wet track and if he’s back in the run early here and saved for late, he’ll be storming home strongly.
Happy to be with VINROCK (1) as he gets out to the mile for the first time.
This talented three-year-old was all class over 1400m at Headquarters last start, settling one off the lead and really only hitting top gear over the final 100m to claim the Exford Plate.
I’ve had a huge opinion of him ever since he came out and powered home to win the Sires’ Produce in Sydney during the autumn, and with the 2025 Caulfield Guineas in his sights, this looks to be the perfect launchpad.
Don’t mind this for the Kiwi filly LA DORADA (1).
She was slightly outclassed upon arrival in the Moir a few weeks ago, struggling from out wide where she was always a long way back and eventually beaten close to six lengths.
Her form across the ditch speaks for itself however, notably winning the Group 1 Sires’ Produce Stakes at Trentham by 3.5 lengths.
I also query whether 1000m was too short for her fresh, so with longer suiting and some potential sting out of the track, I think she can bounce back here now that she has a run under her belt.
Some quality horses engaged here in the Feehan, but none better than Matt Laurie’s brilliant mare, TREASURETHE MOMENT (6).
This is her first look at The Valley’s tight turns, but you only have to go back and look at her first-up win in the Memsie nearly a month ago at Caulfield to get a feel for how nicely she’s returned.
Mark Zahra takes over now from the inside gate and with two wins from two attempts to her name over the mile, it’s easy to see her winning this by much more than a length.
SKYBIRD (8) returns to The Valley ready to run a big race second-up.
She had plenty go wrong leading into her return in the Moir Stakes a few weeks ago, passing fit after tearing a muscle and finding absolutely no luck on the rail, eventually settling for sixth in the end.
I thought she switched off very nicely though mid-race and I love the fact she’s had a trial at Donald between starts to keep her sharp.
The daughter of Exosphere claimed her hat-trick here at The Valley to remain unbeaten as a three-year-old, and with the rise to 1200m looking ideal, I think she’ll be incredibly hard to hold out if she gets luck in running this time.
SPLASH BACK (9) looks fit and ready to fire now for Grahame Begg.
The French import went down swinging two weeks ago in the Let’s Elope Stakes, making up a stack of late ground to finish within a length of Lazzura over a touch shorter.
She’ll spot her rivals a decent start again here, but from an inside gate this time with Jordan Childs sticking, she should have a bit less work to do in the run home.