The Manikato Stakes is the feature sprint event of the Moonee Valley Carnival, held on the Friday night before the Cox Plate. 

Originally referred to as the Freeway Stakes, the race was renamed the Manikato Stakes in 1984. The Group 1 clash was named in the champion sprinter's name after he won the race twice in 1979 and 1982.

Notable past winners of the Manikato Stakes include Chautauqua (2015), Buffering (2013), Hay List (2010) and Sunline (2000). 

The early favourite for this year's race is the James Cummings trained and Godolphin owned Bivouac ($2). 

After comfortably winning the Group One Golden Rose over 1400m, Godolphin toyed with the idea of backing Bivouac in The Everest but opted for the easier target in the Manikato Stakes.

Bivouac defeated subsequent Everest winner, Yes Yes Yes, by 0.2 lengths in the Golden Rose and brings the hottest form lines into the race. 

The team Snowden trained Anaheed who is coming off a dominant win in the Group Three Sapphire stakes, looks likely to be a late nomination and will be ridden by the in-form Tim Clark. 

Another runner of note is The Bostonian. This Kiwi-galloper was dominant in the Brisbane Carnival and will be hoping to recapture that form at The Valley. 

All-in market Manikato Stakes