| Distance | 1,200m |
| Grade | Group 1 |
| Track | Moonee Valley |
| Prizemoney | $1,000,000 |
| 2018 winner |
Brave Smash ($8.50) |
The feature sprint race of the Cox Plate Carnival, the Manikato Stakes has been won by some of the biggest names in horse racing, including Chautauqua (2015), Buffering (2013), Hay List (2010), Sunline (2000) and Manikato himself (1982, 1979).
The quality of this field is down on previous editions, with the exclusion of the highly touted three-year-old Bivouac.
The Godolphin owned colt was dominant in the Golden Rose Stakes and is now aiming for back-to-back Group One scalps.
After dominating this year's Brisbane Winter Carnival, The Bostonian is the only other runner in the field with a Group One victory to his name.
With plenty of speed drawn both inside and out, the race looks set to be run at a cracking tempo. This should see the best sprinter come out on top.
The Valley is currently rated a Good 4, with the rail in the true position the entire circuit.
There are some light showers forecast in Melbourne on Friday, which should have little to no impact on the racing surface.
The shape of The Valley with it's tight turn and 178m home straight, naturally suits on-pace runners.
Faatinah has come in for early support after being specked from $19 into $17.
Short-priced favourite Bivouac, has been rock solid at $1.80.
This dual Group One winner ran well in the Moir Stakes. Despite being caught wide throughout, he still managed to finish within 2.15 lengths of Nature Strip over the unsuitable 1000m distance.
He then impressed second-up, when running third to Trekking in the Schillachi over 1100m.
The form-lines from both these runs has been franked, with Trekking and Nature Strip running top-four in The Everest.
Has drawn to do no work and has the runs on the board. Clear second-pick!
A three-time Group Two winner, who claimed victory in the McEwen Stakes first-up at The Valley over 1000m.
However, his record third-up (7:0-2-1) and in Group One races (8:0-1-0) makes for grim reading.
While this is a weak Group One, the stats and the wide barrier draw in 8 indicate he'll be up against it.
With pace drawn inside of him, he looks likely to sit three-wide the trip.
Pass!
This lightly raced galloper only has one win to his name, in maiden grade.
While his 1.8 length second to Arcadia Queen could read well to some, the run was flattering and the times weren't great.
From the wide draw, he'll be forced back to the rear and have a huge task ahead.
He's priced on hype and looks well under the odds. Looks outclassed!
A winner of 9 races from 23 starts, this mare always puts in 100% and is a genuine chance to run a place.
She made a mess of the start first-up, which saw her finish 4.35 lengths off Nature Strip in the Moir Stakes.
She was 10 lengths off them at the 600m, but her last 200m was the second fastest behind Trekking. This suggests she could have finished much closer if she drew a gate and settled mid-field.
The key here is her brilliant record over the 1200m (14:6-3-3).
From the good draw in barrier 6, Tommy Berry can sit mid-field off a hot-speed and with even luck she'll be rattling home late.
This three-year-old colt has proved bomb-proof on a dry track this preparation and his form-lines are proven beyond doubt.
He defeated Yes Yes Yes by 2 lengths over 1200m in the Run to the Rose, before repeating the dose in the Golden Rose over 1400m.
Yes Yes Yes has since franked those form-lines by defeating Australia's best sprinters in The Everest last Saturday.
He possesses plenty of early toe, so the draw in barrier one is no concern.
If the track is playing fair, this race will be over at the home turn.
He's arguably the best three-year-old in the country and he can prove that here with a dominant victory. Looks a good thing!
Her class shone through in the Blue Sapphire Stakes, which proved she loves the 1200m.
She has plenty of early toe and with only 51kg, look for her to press forward and aim to stick on for a long way.
With plenty of speed on paper, there is every chance some jockeys may opt-out of the speed battle. This could see her get a nice time of it on-pace.
If that's the case, she can fill a place. If that doesn't eventuate however, she'll be well and truly exposed and will be lucky to finish in the top half of the field.
Others preferred!
She caught punters off-guard with a slashing first-up win in the Group Three Champagne at The Valley.
She then looked a little flat second-up, but can bounce back to her best here.
From barrier two, she can tag Bivouac everywhere he goes.
If she peaks for this run, she can run a place.
1st Bivoauc
2nd The Bostonian
3rd Winter Bride
4th Loving Gaby
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