Manikato Stakes 2026 Odds, Betting & Race Preview

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.

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. 

The 2026 Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes winner Jimmysstar ($6.50) stamped himself as a genuine The Everest contender with a devastating finishing burst to claim the Group 1 sprint at Caulfield, capping a huge day for powerhouse trainer Ciaron Maher. The seven-year-old son of Per Incanto overcame a tardy start before unleashing his trademark late acceleration under Ethan Brown to score by three-quarters of a length over Extragalactic ($5), with defending champion Charm Stone ($21) battling on for third. The victory was Jimmysstar’s fourth at Group 1 level and prompted Maher to confirm a tilt at Sydney’s $20 million The Everest is firmly on the radar. Punters were quick to react, with Neds slashing Jimmysstar’s The Everest odds from $26 into $13, elevating him to the third line of betting behind defending champion Ka Ying Rising ($1.35) and Tempted ($7). Still chasing one of the remaining slots in the star-studded 12-horse field, Jimmysstar has firmly re-established himself among Australia’s elite sprinters and looks a serious Everest prospect following his electrifying Manikato Stakes victory.

2026 Manikato Stakes Race Replay

2026 Manikato Stakes Odds & Finishing Order

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.

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.

Latest News

Racing Tips

Manikato Stakes Day Best Bets – Sunday, September 27 

26 Sep • Craig Sheppard

Let’s end the weekend on the right note at Caulfield, where we’ve found a few key runners and strong betting opportunities across Sunday’s massive Manikato Stakes Day card. OVER THE BRIDGE (5) impressed on debut last start with a win over 1100m at Bendigo.  The Ciaron Maher-trained filly landed in a nice position before letting down powerfully to easily put her rivals away by two lengths with a further three lengths to third.  She clocked the quickest closing sectionals of the day despite coasting late which suggests she’s very good and capable of making the massive jump in class. She’ll…

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Horse Racing

2026 Manikato Stakes Day Tips & Preview

25 Sep • Ryan Cook

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…

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Horse Racing

2026 Manikato Stakes Form, Barrier Draw & Final Fields

25 Sep • Darren Cole

The Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes is a Group 1 race at Caulfield on Sunday, where some of the best sprinters in Australia run for the $2 million prize. Manikato Stakes odds are out for the feature race this weekend, and the quality field is headlined by Memsie Stakes winner Beiwacht at $3.20. Manikato Stakes Final Field & Barrier Draw Race favourite Beiwacht has landed an ideal draw in barrier 3 and should get every opportunity to dictate terms. Expect him to roll forward early and try to set the pace, much like he did in his impressive three-length Memsie Stakes victory.…

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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 ran 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: Jimmysstar

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:

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:

1. Login at neds
2. Make a deposit, using your credit card, PayPal or other safe electronic method
3. Make sure to check out form guide, once it’s released
4. 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).
5. 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 four-year-old Bivouac entire Beiwacht coming off a big three-length win fresh in the Memsie Stakes, the Ciaron Maher-trained Caulfield track specialist Jimmysstar out to break a notable winning drought and Trent Edmonds’ consistent Deep Field mare Extragalactic who ran a close fourth last time out in the Group 1 Moir.

From 2007-2026 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. 

The Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes 2026 final field features a quality line-up of 13 spring sprinters including three-length Memsie Stakes champion Beiwacht drawn well in gate three and John McArdle’s last start Group 1 Moir Stakes winning mare My Gladiola.

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. 

The 2026 Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes nominations attracted a bumper 16 spring sprinters led in all-in betting at race sponsor Ladbrokes by Chris Waller’s emphatic three-length Memsie Stakes winner Beiwacht chasing a Group 1 hat-trick.

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.

Manikato Stakes Race Number 2026

The 2026 Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes race number is scheduled as Caulfield Race 8 at 4:45pm (AEST) on 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.