Manikato Stakes

Winners and Past Results for the Manikato Stakes

Melbourne's horse racing tracks witnesses the best contenders face off in numerous black type races throughout the year, which includes the Group 1 Manikato Stakes hosted by Moonee Valley Racing Club at Moonee Valley Racecourse.

In 2009, the Manikato Stakes moved to the Friday night. The 1200 metre weight for age race is held in October during the spring racing carnival the day before the Cox Plate.

Prize money for the Manikato Stakes is worth $1,000,000. THE Manikato Stakes from 2013 will join the Newmarket Handicap and Patinack Farm Classic as $1 million sprint race events in Victoria. Bob Scarborough, the Moonee Valley chairman announced a $250,000 injection of prizemoney to the weight-for-age sprint.

The Manikato Stakes was known as the Freeway Stakes between 1968 and 1983 after which it has been held in honour of one of Australia's finest and most loved Thoroughbred horses, Manikato, who finished with a career best of 29 wins and 13 places from just 47 starts. Manikato's numerous victories included two Freeway Stakes in 1979 and 1982. Manikato also posted five consecutive wins in the Group 1 William Reid Stakes between 1979 and 1983.

The Manikato Stakes, most often the race is usually bagged by a better sprinter who can take advantage of the level weights. Horses that compete in the Manikato Stakes ought to be followed closely for the rest of the season.

Prior the the race being moved to the Friday night, the night before the Cox Plate, it had produced several WS Cox Plate winners while many have gone on to win or place well in numerous other group races. Strawberry Road, Rubiton, Dane Ripper, and Sunline in 2000-01 are some of the classy gallopers to win a Manikato Stakes / Cox Plate double.

2012 Manikato Stakes

Sea Siren jumped nicely and found her rhythm early, giving Jimmy Cassidy plenty of options as the field vied for prime positions in the opening stages of the race. Cassidy chose to push Sea Siren ahead, and she sat just off the early leaders, Satin Shoes and Buffering, as they came towards the turn. The front-runners eventually tired and Sea Siren was asked for a finishing run, with the mare surging forward and going clear in the straight. The four-year-old held on gamely to score another Group 1 win over a fast-finishing Mental, with We're Gonna Rock making up a lot of ground in the closing stages to finish third.

2012 Manikato Stakes result

1. Sea Siren
2. Mental
3. We're Gonna Rock

Then came:

4. Hallowell Belle
5. Temple Of Boom
6. Buffering
7. Bel Sprinter
8. Satin Shoes
9. Ready To Rip
10. Lone Rock