Looking for this year’s Manikato Stakes betting odds, field and tips? The expert tipsters at Neds have put together everything you need to know.
2026 Manikato Stakes Odds
The Manikato Stakes odds 2026 are beginning to tighten as Australia’s elite sprinters build towards the revamped Caulfield edition of this high‑pressure Group 1. Early markets are already reacting to sharp trials, stable intent and shifting sprint form, giving punters plenty to track as the field takes shape. With big names returning and new-season flyers emerging, the Manikato Stakes betting 2026 markets are primed for big moves, and Neds keeps you ahead of them with up‑to‑date prices, key form indicators and value‑finding insights for one of the spring’s most explosive 1200m contests.
The latest Manikato Stakes odds followed by the official race finishing order after the event will be available below.
| 1. Giga Kick | ||
| 2. Joliestar | ||
| 3. Jigsaw | ||
| 4. Natural Fling | ||
| 5. Oliveanotherday | ||
| 6. Angel Capital | ||
| 7. Jimmysstar | ||
| 8. My Gladiola | ||
| 9. Ninja | ||
| 10. Lady Shenandoah | ||
| 11. Napoleonic | ||
| 12. Apocalyptic | ||
| 13. Caballus | ||
| 14. Extragalactic | ||
| 15. Geegees Mistruth | ||
| 16. Hedged | ||
| 17. Point Barrow | ||
| 18. Rey Magnerio | ||
| 19. Savvy Hallie | ||
| 20. Skybird |
Manikato Stakes 2026 Tips
Our exclusive Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes 2026 betting tips and selections will be detailed here the week of the race and full Manikato Stakes Day tips available on the Neds Blog.
Named after the legendary five-time William Reid Stakes champion Manikato (1979-83), who also won this race twice (back when it was called the Freeway Stakes), the Manikato Stakes is a Group 1 sprint traditionally conducted at The Valley.
It was previously held on a Saturday in late October alongside the Cox Plate and recently ran on the Friday night under the lights before Cox Plate Day. In 2022 was moved from the abandoned Friday night meeting at Moonee Valley to take place on the Saturday where it remained for the 2023 edition. In 2024 a change to the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival line-up saw the Manikato Stakes run at The Valley on a Friday night in late September, a month earlier than in previous years.
The 2026 Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes runs on a Sunday in late September at Caulfield Racecourse with The Valley under redevelopment.
Run over 1200 metres the weight-for-age feature offers $2 million in prize money as of 2022 and has been run and won since 1968.
In recent years the AJ Moir Stakes has been a good lead-up race into the Manikato Stakes that has been won by many champion racehorses including four Cox Plate winners Strawberry Road (1983), Rubiton (1987), Dane Ripper (1997) and Sunline (2000).
Imperatriz (2023) was the last to do the Moir Stakes – Manikato Stakes double at Moonee Valley.
Manikato Stakes 2026 – Fast Facts
- Race Day: Sunday, September 27, 2026
- Track Location: Moonee Valley Racecourse (Caulfield in 2026)
- Track Surface: Turf
- Track Direction: Left-handed
- Race Distance: 1,200 metres
- Weight Conditions: Weight for age
- Qualification: Three-year-olds and over
- Type: Thoroughbred
- Grade: Group 1
- Operator: Moonee Valley Racing Club
- Prize Purse: $2,000,000
- Inaugural Race: 1968
- 2026 Manikato Stakes Winner: TBD
Manikato Stakes 2026 Results
The official 2026 Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes results will be available below once the race takes place on Sunday, September 27, 2026.
Manikato Stakes Betting 2026
There are many different ways to bet on the Manikato Stakes, and we have included some of the most popular options below:
| Bet Type | How to Place This Type of Bet on This Year’s Manikato Stakes |
|---|---|
| Win Bet | Place your bet on the horse you think will take first place in this year’s Manikato Stakes. |
| Place Bet | Place your bet on the horse you think will place in the top three finishers at this year’s Manikato Stakes. Pays less than a win bet but offers safer odds. |
| Each-Way Bet | If your runner finishes 1st in the Manikato Stakes, you will collect both the Win and the Place dividend. If your horse finishes 2nd or 3rd you will collect the Place dividend. |
| Quinella Bet | You must select the runners that finish 1st and 2nd in any order, within the Manikato Stakes, in order to win the Quinella. |
| Exacta Bet | You must select the runners that finish 1st and 2nd in the correct order, within the Manikato Stakes to win the Exacta. |
| Trifecta Bet | You must select runners to finish 1st, 2nd and 3rd in the correct order, within the Manikato Stakes to win the Trifecta. |
| First Four | You must select runners that finish 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th in the correct order, within the Manikato Stakes to win the First 4. |
| Quadrella Bet (Quaddie) | You must select the winners of four nominated races to win the Quaddie. This means you would have to select three other races apart from the Manikato Stakes, in order to be eligible to place a Quaddie. |
How to Bet on The Manikato Stakes in 2026
There are many different ways to bet on the Manikato Stakes, and we have included some of the most popular options below:
- Login at neds
- Make a deposit, using your credit card, PayPal or other safe electronic method
- Make sure to check out form guide, once it’s released
- Decide what kind of bet you’re going to place (Win, Place, Each-Way, Trifecta + more betting options, please read our section on Manikato Stakes Betting above).
- Select the horse(s) for the race.
Which Horse Will Win the Manikato Stakes in 2026?
Which horse will win the 2026 Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes comes down to a number of key form factors including the barriers, form over the 1200m sprint distance, record at the track and their previous Group 1 race experience in early Melbourne spring races.
When selecting the Manikato Stakes winner it is also important to consider:
- Inside Alley: Barrier one has produced four Manikato Stakes winners since 2009 most recently Bella Nipotina (2022).
- Moir Lead-Up: The Group 1 Moir Stakes (1000m) held at the same track the month prior was the key Manikato Stakes lead-up with Bella Nipotina (2nd in 2022) and Imperatriz (1st in 2023) the latest Manikato winners to come via that race before the Manikato moved to September ahead of the 2024 edition.
Manikato Stakes Favourites 2026
Favourites in 2026 Manikato Stakes betting at time of publish include Chris Waller’s five-time Group 1 winning mare Joliestar, former The Everest hero Giga Kick and the airborne Cindy Alderson-trained Jigsaw who completed the William Reid/The Quokka double in the autumn.
From 2007-2025 seven Manikato Stakes favourites saluted for the punters, most recently Jonker ($5.50 in 2021) and the odds-on elect Imperatriz ($1.40 in 2023).
Manikato Stakes Field 2026
The official Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes 2026 final field of acceptances is announced by the Moonee Valley Racing Club (MVRC) on the Wednesday of race week and will be published in full below.
Manikato Stakes Race Day 2026
The 2026 Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes takes place at Caulfield Racecourse on Sunday, September 27, 2026. The other Group status races on the Manikato Stakes Night card in 2025 include the:
- Group 2 Feehan Stakes (1600m),
- Group 2 Stocks Stakes (1500m),
- Group 2 Stutt Stakes (1600m),
- Group 3 JRA Cup (2000m), and the
- Group 3 Scarborough Stakes (1200m).
Manikato Stakes 2026 Barrier Draw
The official 2026 Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes barrier draw takes place the week of the race and will be published in our above Manikato Stakes Field section.
Manikato Stakes 2026 Nominations
The 2026 Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes nominations are taken on Monday the 21st of September 2026.
Manikato Stakes Weights 2026
The race is run at weight for age. Final 2026 Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes weights will be declared at 4 PM on the Monday of race week and will be published in our above Manikato Stakes Field section.
Manikato Stakes Acceptances 2026
2026 Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes final acceptances will be declared before 9 AM on the Wednesday of race week and published in our above Manikato Stakes Field section.
Manikato Stakes Jockeys 2026
Riders must be declared by 12 PM on the Wednesday of race week. The full Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes 2026 jockeys will be announced in our above Manikato Stakes Field section.
Manikato Stakes Scratchings 2026
2026 Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes scratchings close at 7:30 AM on Sunday, September 27, 2026.
Manikato Stakes Prize Money 2026
The 2026 Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes prize money is set at $2,000,000, distributed from places first through to eighth.
| Place | Prize Money |
|---|---|
| 1st | $1,200,000 |
| 2nd | $360,000 |
| 3rd | $180,000 |
| 4th | $90,000 |
| 5th | $50,000 |
| 6th | $40,000 |
| 7th | $40,000 |
| 8th | $40,000 |
Manikato Stakes Race Number 2026
The 2026 Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes race number is TBC for Sunday, September 27, 2026 when the event runs as the Sunday feature on Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes Day at Caulfield hosted by the Moonee Valley Racing Club.
Manikato Stakes Live 2026
You can watch or listen to the 2026 Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes live, across the following mediums.
Pay television: Sky Racing 1 (channel 526 on Foxtel)
Radio: Radio Sport National
Free-to-air television: Channels 78 (and 68 in regional areas)
Streaming: Racing.com
Mobile: Neds App
Manikato Stakes 2026 Form Guide
The final form guide will be available the week of the race. You can check below for a link to our full 2026 Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes Form Guide following final acceptances.
Manikato Stakes Winners
Winners of the Manikato Stakes going back to 1983 are displayed in the table below. To view a complete list of past Manikato Stakes winners from the race’s inauguration to the present date – click here.
| Year | Winner | Jockey | Trainer/s | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD |
| 2025 | Charm Stone | Blake Shinn | Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr | 1:10.01 |
| 2024 | Southport Tycoon | Mark Zahra | Ciaron Maher | 1:09.91 |
| 2023 | Imperatriz | Opie Bosson | Mark Walker | 1:09.59 |
| 2022 | Bella Nipotina | Craig Williams | Ciaron Maher & David Eustace | 1:11.60 |
| 2021 | Jonker | Daniel Moor | Tony Gollan | 1:09.36 |
| 2020 | Hey Doc | Luke Currie | Tony & Calvin McEvoy | 1:08.76 (R) |
| 2019 | Loving Gaby | Craig Williams | Ciaron Maher & David Eustace | 1:09.29 |
| 2018 | Brave Smash | Hugh Bowman | Darren Weir | 1:09.36 |
| 2017 | Hey Doc | Luke Currie | Tony McEvoy | 1:09.96 |
| 2016 | Rebel Dane | Ben Melham | Gary Portelli | 1:10.9 |
| 2015 | Chautauqua | Tommy Berry | Michael, Wayne And John Hawkes | 1:09.5 |
| 2014 | Lankan Rupee | Craig Newitt | Mick Price | 1:10.3 |
| 2013 | Buffering | Damian Browne | Robert Heathcote | 1:11.4 |
| 2012 | Sea Siren | Jim Cassidy | John O’Shea | 1:11.3 |
| 2011 | Sepoy | Kerrin Mcevoy | Peter Snowden | 1:11.0 |
| 2010 | Hay List | Glyn Schofield | John Mcnair | 1:09.9 |
| 2009 | Danleigh | Kerrin Mcevoy | Chris Waller | 1:12.5 |
| 2008 | Typhoon Zed | Nash Rawiller | Tim Martin | 1:10.6 |
| 2007 | Gold Edition | S Katsidis | R E Maund | 1:10.6 |
| 2006 | Miss Andretti | – | – | 1:09.2 |
| 2005 | Spark Of Life | G Boss | Allan Denham | 1:11.5 |
| 2004 | Spark Of Life | D Nikolic | Allan Denham | 1:13.3 |
| 2003 | Spinning Hill | P Payne | G H Walter | 1:11.2 |
| 2002 | Spinning Hill | P Payne | G H Walter | 1:10.5 |
| 2001 | Piavonic | N Rawiller | Tony Noonan | 1:12.9 |
| 2000 | Sunline | G J Childs | T J Mckee | 1:11.6 |
| 1999 | Redoute’s Choice | J A Cassidy | Rick Hore-Lacy | – |
| 1998 | Dane Ripper | D Oliver | Bart Cummings | – |
| 1997 | Spartacus | D Beadman | Rick Hore-Lacy | – |
| 1996 | Poetic King | S D Marshall | D L Freedman | – |
| 1995 | You Remember | D Nikolic | L R Smith | – |
| 1994 | Spanish Mix | S R King | J R Hawkes | – |
| 1993 | Never Undercharge | S D Marshall | Bart Cummings | – |
| 1992 | King Marauding | P Alderman | D L Freedman | – |
| 1991 | Sonic Express | D Oliver | B J Bennett | – |
| 1990 | Street Ruffian | D Triandafillou | M Hewson | – |
| 1989 | Westminster | P Cook | Ms N Fraser | – |
| 1988 | Rancho Ruler | D Gauci | G Marconi | – |
| 1987 | Rubiton | H White | P C Barns | – |
| 1986 | Lockley’s Tradition | B Werner | L M Armfield | – |
| 1985 | Touch Of Genius | M Clarke | R E Hoysted | – |
| 1984 | Vite Cheval | K Mitchell | I G Saunders | – |
| 1983 | Strawberry Road | G Willetts | D R Bougoure | – |