Group 1 racing heads to Caulfield on Sunday, where a high-octane Manikato Stakes field has been assembled for the $2 million feature.
Nine races are spread across the card post AFL Grand Final Day, and the headline Group 1 sprint race looks to be a doozy with notable names like Giga Kick, Beiwacht, and Jimmysstar contending.
Seven other black-type races compliment the program, including the Group 2 Feehan and Stutt Stakes.
For a comprehensive look at every race on Manikato Stakes Day at Caulfield, as well as our best bets and form analysis, keep scrolling below!
JARBARDAR (11) is one to watch on return for Tony & Calvin McEvoy.
This three-year-old son to Written By won on debut at Wagga by a massive margin back in April, stepping out a few weeks later here at Caulfield where he was a distant second to subsequent Group 3 winner, Natural Fling.
I thought he finished off strongly after getting a little wayward at the top of the straight, while his recent jump out win at Flemington was very impressive to watch.
He maps to roll forward early and land on the speed under Harry Coffey and appears forward enough to handle 1100m fresh.
| 11. Jarbardar (7) J: Harry Coffey 54kg 12x T: Tony & Calvin Mcevoy | |||
| Resuming after a five months break. Finished off last campaign second of 9 at this track 2yo Hcp May 9 over 1100m, soft track; 3 len behind Natural Fling carrying 59kg at $6. At his first start to post a big 3.5 len win. Wagga 2yo Hcp April 19 over 1000m defeating Borata’s Girl with 58kg at $1.35. Nice type, interesting stable switch, watch betting. | |||
Hard to fault PRETTY BABY (4), who made it four on the trot when winning the Listed Atlantic Jewel by a monster 3.75 length margin at Sandown a few weeks ago.
The South Australian filly dropped back toward the tail of the field before angling out wide at the top of the straight, letting down with a huge turn of foot to storm clear with relative ease under Jamie Melham.
The pair map to adopt similar tactics again from an identical barrier and with another wet track suiting, good luck beating them.
| 4. Pretty Baby (6) J: Jamie Melham 57.5kg 31111 T: Gordon Richards & Damien Moyle | |||
| On a four run winning streak. Last start came from midfield and won by 4 len in the LR Atlantic Jewel Stakes at Sandown-Hillside on September 5 over 1300m on a soft track defeating Ghana’s Akan carrying 57.5kg at $5.50. The race before that won by 1.75 len in a 3yo Bm66 at Morphettville Parks on August 22 over 1250m in soft going defeating Dustee with 60.5kg at $2.50. Dominant in Melbourne debut, clearly the one to beat again. | |||
DETONATOR JACK (3) is a live chance coming off a decent six-week break between runs.
The old boy won the Winter Championship over the mile at Headquarters in July and went on to hold that form nicely when finishing runner-up to a pair of smart horses in First Chorus and Darkbonee here at Caulfield.
The fact he’s won a jump out between runs is another positive, and he’s typically done some of his best racing on rain-affected ground. John Allen, who rode him to that win at Flemington earlier in the year, returning to the saddle for the JRA Cup is also a big plus.
| 3. Detonator Jack (8) J: John Allen 57kg 01822 T: Ciaron Maher | |||
| Comes off a 43 day let-up. Most recently ran on from midfield; 2nd of 8 in a Bm100 at this track on August 15 over 1600m, on a slow track; 1.75 len behind Darkbonee carrying 59kg at $8. The run before that 2nd of 10 in a Bm100 at Caulfield Heath on August 8 over 1800m, slow going long-neck behind First Chorus carrying 59.5kg at $18. Up in trip now can suit, hard to knock. | |||
SCINTILLATION (5) hasn’t missed the money from five starts and gets another big chance to add to her resume in the Scarborough Stakes.
The I Am Invincible filly has handed in two solid efforts in recent runs, finishing a distant runner-up to Natural Fling in the Quezette Stakes, before being held up for a run in the Group 3 D’Antibes Stakes where the Flemington straight never seemed to really suit her.
Love her back racing at Caulfield with Zac Lloyd returning to the saddle, the man responsible for her fresh win at Randwick in late July.
She’s in with 1kg off at the weights here and with some handy wet track form to her name, she’s a big chance to upset the favourite.
| 5. Scintillation (8) J: Zac Lloyd 56kg 3×123 T: John O’shea & Tom Charlton | |||
| Recent form sound. Most recently came from midfield; 3rd of 13 in the G3 Cap D’Antibes Stakes at Flemington on September 12 over 1100m, 2.75 len behind Satono Glow carrying 57kg at $16. The run before that 2nd of 16 in the G3 Quezette Stakes at this track on August 15 over 1100m, slow going 4 len behind Natural Fling with 56kg at $16. Keeps racing well, should be thereabouts again. | |||
MR BRIGHTSIDE (1) arrives third-up ready for another run over the mile.
His fresh effort in the Memsie Stakes two back was very encouraging, performing his usual trick of setting up close to the speed and running on well to finish a long second to Beiwacht in the end.
The dry track cost him in the Makybe Diva Stakes second-up, but he should be much better suited here with some give in the ground and a barrier that allows him a bit more running room.
Craig Williams hops back in the saddle and providing Pride Of Jenni doesn’t get too far in front, he’ll be there when it counts.
| 1. Mr Brightside (6) J: Craig Williams 59kg 25×27 T: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes | |||
| Third-up today and won third-up previously. First-up raced on the speed and boxed on steadily 2nd of 12 in the G1 Memsie Stakes at this track on August 29 over 1400m, on a slow track; 3 len behind Beiwacht carrying 59kg at $21. Second-up led to the turn then faded 7th of 10 in the G1 Makybe Diva Stakes at Flemington on September 12 over 1600m, 5 len behind Sheza Alibi carrying 59kg at $8. Disappointing last time but he’s a champ and can bounce back. | |||
Kiwi filly LARA ANTIPOVA (10) was too good for them last start at Flemington, bolting in along the rail to win the Listed Exford Plate by three-quarters of a length.
She was fast into stride before landing just off the speed, a much-improved effort after the wide gate cost her fresh in the Quezette Stakes.
Having won three in a row on wet tracks to remain unbeaten back home, she’ll love rain-affected going on Saturday with a bit of relief at the weights and Zac Lloyd taking over with a nice soft barrier that gives him a few options.
| 10. Lara Antipova (4) J: Zac Lloyd 55kg 11×91 T: Mark Walker | |||
| Third-up today and won third-up in the past. First-up 9th of 16 in the G3 Quezette Stakes at this track on August 15 over 1100m, on a slow track; 7 len behind Natural Fling with 59kg at $8.50. Second run from a spell raced right near the speed and boxed on; won by 0.8 len in the LR Michael Moroney (Exford Plate) at Flemington on September 12 over 1400m defeating Aragog carrying 57.5kg at $9. Much better last time and gets in very well at the weights here, go close. | |||
TOO DARN DISCREET (2) just needs luck in running from the gate to feature in this year’s Ladbrokes Stocks Stakes.
She was a good thing beaten fresh in the Let’s Elope Stakes at Headquarters over shorter, run down late in a blanket finish by the fast-finishing Pondalowie.
The mile is still short of her best, but we’ve seen win twice over this distance as she looks to progress over further.
A noted wet tracker, some early cover from the gate would go a long way to seeing her return to the winner’s circle.
| 2. Too Darn Discreet (11) J: Declan Bates 56kg 011×2 T: Dan O’sullivan | |||
| Second run back. First-up after five months settled towards the rear 2nd of 12 in the G2 Let’s Elope Stakes at Flemington on September 12 over 1400m, nose behind Pondalowie carrying 56kg at $21. Previously second-up 5th of 11 in the G3 Matron Stakes at Flemington on March 7 over 1600m, 1.4 len behind Ahha Ahha carrying 56kg at $9.50. Huge return, up in trip suits, very hard to hold out. | |||
EXTRAGALACTIC (13) gets James McDonald for the first time coming off a likable first-up run in the Moir Stakes at Sandown over shorter.
The Deep Field mare stuck on well along the inside to grab fourth, although a slow start likely cost her a stride or two and ultimately cost her a place in the end.
Unbeaten second-up and capable of handling a wet track, her overall form reads very well for this with the inside barrier offering J-Mac every chance to adopt similar tactics on Sunday. The extra 1200m is also a big plus based on what we’ve seen from her in the past, particularly here at Caulfield.
| 13. Extragalactic (2) J: James McDonald 56.5kg 122×4 T: Trent Edmonds | |||
| Second-up. First-up after four months 4th of 13 in the G1 Moir Stakes at Sandown-Hillside on September 5 over 1000m, slow going 1.3 len behind My Gladiola carrying 56.5kg at $13. Previously second-up came from midfield and won by 1.0 len in a 3yo F Hcp at this track on April 4 over 1200m defeating Marsept carrying 52.5kg at $3.90. Very good fresh albeit with right sort of run, up in trip suits and J-Mac on. | |||
HARRY’S YACHT (9) flashed home late fresh in The Heath last month to grab fifth, although he ultimately set himself too big of a start after settling a long way back.
Ben Allen gave him a solid ride all things considered after the pair blew the start, but it looks as though he’s bounce back and is ready to strike based on his recent jump out win at Flemington between runs.
The rise in distance only strengthens his claims and with the barrier offering the pair every chance to settle closer to the speed, he looks one of the hardest to beat.
| 9. Harry’s Yacht (5) J: Ben Allen 57kg 234×5 T: L & T Corstens & W Larkin | |||
| Second-up. First-up after three months 5th of 8 in a G3 The Heath 1100 Stakes at this track on August 29 over 1100m, on a slow track; 5 len behind Oliveanotherday carrying 57kg at $19. Previously second-up ran on from midfield; 2nd of 10 in a Vg Stockade at Ballarat on December 6 over 1200m, on a slow track; 0.8 len behind Steel Move carrying 59kg at $1.95. Solid return and is suited up in trip from a good draw. | |||
