30/01/21 Best bets for the Manfred Stakes
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- Author: Jackson FrantzJan 29, 2021 07:08 AM
- Photo: AAP
Sky's The Limit
We're back at Caulfield this Saturday, where a small but talented field lines up in the Group 3 Manfred Stakes over 1200m.
Group 1 performed colts Tagaloa and Aysar are first-up and building towards stallion making races deeper into the Autumn.
Meanwhile, the fit Portland Sky and Dickin Medal will be out to exploit their more credentialed rivals lack of race fitness.
Track Conditions
The track is currently rated a Good 4 but with 15-25mm of rain forecast across Melbourne on Friday and up to 5mm on Saturday, expect conditions in the Soft 7 range.
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Caulfield Race 5 - Manfred Stakes 1200m (Group 3)
The Map 
The Jerome Hunter trained outsider All Stardom (2) will press forward to take up the running, and I expect Jamie Kah to roll along at a solid tempo in hope of capitalising on her mount's race fitness.
Portland Sky (1) can kick up from the inside draw to box seat, while the resuming topweight Tagaloa (6) can roll across from the outside draw to settle midfield.
I’m expecting Dickin Medal (5) to lob in behind Tagaloa with cover, while Zion (3) and Aysar (4) round out the field.
Analysis & Tips 
1st Portland Sky $5.00
I'm confident that I’ve been able to find some value in a horse that’s been overlooked based on a poor showing at Eagle Farm earlier this month.
His effort here over 1000m in September was huge when he was held up from the 400m behind class rivals. He then backed that up with a gallant fourth behind subsequent Coolmore Stud winner, September Run, at Flemington.
The Group 3 winner presents here second-up and I’m confident that he can improve significantly dropping back in trip from 1400m to 1200m.
Tagaloa and Aysar have a clear class edge on the Laurie trained Colt, but this gelding will get the dream run settling in the box seat from barrier 1.
2nd Dickin Medal
This lightly raced Godolphin galloper doesn’t boast the credentials of his fellow market leading rivals Tagaloa and Aysar, but presents as a sprinter on the rise.
While his recent win here over 1100m earlier this month was only at benchmark 70 level, his potential is untapped and with race fitness on his side I believe that he can prevail the best of the three favourites.
Damien Oliver sticks and if he can produce the slick time he recorded when winning last start, he’ll prove extremely hard to run down for the resuming brigade.
3rd Tagaloa
Took out last year’s Blue Diamond Stakes at this track and trip, but this time in his preparation is trending towards stallion making features at a mile and beyond.
His recent trials have been slick and his first-up effort here last preparation was a strong on-paced effort when sticking on for third.
Despite his class, I’m happy to look elsewhere at the price but would not be shocked to see him bounce back in fine fashion first-up.
4th Aysar
Prevailed first-up last preparation over 1300m, before narrowly missing behind superstar colt Ole Kirk in the Caulfield Guineas over the mile.
He’s the best horse in the race in my opinion, but I’m expecting the stable to instruct Lane to settle last and produce out wide with a late burst.
I expect them to be getting this guy he’s ready to peak this time next month in the Australian Guineas.
