| Distance | 1,200m |
| Grade | Group 1 |
| Track Rating | Good 4 |
| Prizemoney | $1,000,000 |
| Class | WFA |
| 2017 winner | Hey Doc ($21) |
There is always good speed engaged in the Manikato Stakes which runs over the 1200m at the Valley. The speed in this year's edition however looks to be heightened by significant pressure engaged up front.
No fewer than four early speedsters are likely to cut at each other as they attempt to find the rail, including Sunlight, Invincible Star, Houtzen and Jungle Edge.
This predicted warp speed should set the race up nicely for horses with a genuine run-on profile.
Punters should therefore look for runners set to get good trails in behind from midfield or further back, ready to storm over the top,.
Moonee Valley is currently rated a Good 4 with the rail in the True position and fine conditions predicted for Friday night's racing.
With the rail in the true, we can default to both on and off speed having their chance, however as always a close watch of early racing is advised to determine the presence of any fast lanes or associated bias.
Punters have singled out US Navy Flag for specific attention in early betting, backing him from $9.00 into $6.50. Brave Smash has also attracted support ($10.00 into $8.50).
Backs up from the Everest run two weeks ago, when he settled back beyond midfield before battling away to finish 8 of 12 when slightly disappointing.
Can be forgiven for that run considering the state of the track which didn't suit, and he can easily bounce back here to winning form.
Is rock hard fit now and will get a suitable hot tempo up front, setting him up to run-on strongly. Will be charging late.
Love this horse fresh and that is how he will present on Friday night, after five weeks off and one trial leading into this.
He was ultra impressive early this prep when he clearly should have won the Missile at Randwick, after being held up along the rail to finish second behind Pierata.
At his last few, he has been racing well however slightly less dynamic than when fresh.
Has to overcome gate 12 however with plenty of speed up front, he will have his chance to slot in and pounce in the straight. Must go on top.
Draws the inside and will receive significant favours throughout the run, tucked just in behind the leading division.
First-up form is outstanding (7:5-1-0) and if the stable have him right, he will certainly be in the finish.
Is a runner from a big betting stable and the early signs in the market are not great with a slight market drift ($9.00 out to $10), which suggests he may not be progressing well at home.
If they jump out of trees to back him late however, you will know the horse is flying. Follow the money trail.
Has been the subject of significant market support ($9.00 into $6.50), with a number of big bets reported for him early this week.
He disappointed in the Everest when weakening badly to finish a well beaten 9 of 12.
The stable did warn us he wouldn't be as effective in the wet, and back to a good track here it would not surprise to see him atone with a huge run. Leading chance.
High quality mare who does enjoy the Valley and ran a close second to the smart Nature Strip two starts back here, before close enough to them in the Group 1 Moir (finished 5 of 11).
She draws well in gate 4, where there will be plenty of options for the rider to find an ideal position.
Expect they race closer to speed and could find the the premier position one out and one back, from where she will be hard to beat. Leading hope.
The win first-up had to be seen to be believed.
She absolutely brained them when jumping straight to the front and working hard the entire trip, after absorbing pressure throughout.
This is a huge leap in class, however with her light weight she will again be on speed and kicking for a long way.
Just feel she has come up short enough here and whilst she is a genuine winning hope, could not touch the current $4.80 in betting. No.
Of The Others
#4 Voodoo Lad can run over the top off them all if they go mad up front. Looks great value at the current $15 in betting, in a race where it appears they will go warp speed. Yes.
1st Kementari
2nd Brave Smash
3rd Houtzen
4th Voodoo Lad
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