The 2025 Manikato Stakes ran on Friday, September 26, 2025, at Moonee Valley Racecourse in Melbourne, Australia and was won in a huge upset by classy mare Charm Stone at $31!
| 7. Charm Stone (2) J: Blake Shinn 56.5kg 2x10xT: Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr | ||
| 2. Baraqiel (7) J: Ben Allen 58.5kg 63x11T: L & T Corstens & W Larkin | ||
| 5. Magic Time (1) J: Michael Dee 56.5kg 367x1T: Grahame Begg | ||
| 6. Lady Shenandoah (10) J: James McDonald 56.5kg 111x2T: Chris Waller | ||
| 10. Ameena (4) J: Mark Zahra 56.5kg x24x5T: Anthony & Sam Freedman | ||
| 3. Payline (9) J: Justin Huxtable 58.5kg 398x5T: Chris & Corey Munce | ||
| 1. Rothfire (8) J: Nash Rawiller 58.5kg 427x9T: Robert Heathcote | ||
| 4. Sir Sway (3) J: Lachlan Neindorf 58.5kg 822x0T: Sue & Jason Jaensch | ||
| 8. Skybird (6) J: John Allen 56.5kg 0x1x6T: Mitchell Freedman | ||
| 9. Alabama Lass (5) J: Craig Williams 56.5kg 211x2T: Ken & Bev Kelso |
Manikato Stakes Info
- 2025 Manikato Stakes Date: Friday the 26th of September 2025
- Track Location: Moonee Valley Racecourse, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Distance: 1,200m
- Conditions: Weight-for-age; 3YOs & Upwards
- Status: Group 1
- Prize Money (AUD): $2,000,000
- First Run: 1968
- Reigning Manikato Stakes Winner: Charm Stone (2025)
Looking for the latest Manikato Stakes betting odds, exclusive racing tips and form for the Moonee Valley Group 1 sprint? The TAB NZ have all the top betting guides and statistics to make informed bets on the Manikato Stakes race this September!
The Group 1 Manikato Stakes is a crucial sprint test for Australia’s top short-distance racehorses as they prepare for other top-line spring sprints down under like the VRC Champions Sprint over the coveted Melbourne Cup Carnival.
To boost your chances of predicting the next Manikato Stakes winner, access the latest Manikato Stakes odds and tips online at the TAB NZ.
TAB NZ provides in-depth analysis, form guides, and betting insights to help you navigate the competitive field of spring contenders eyeing runs in events including potentially Sydney’s The Everest slot race.
Whether you’re a seasoned punter or new to betting on the horse races in Australia, our comprehensive Manikato Stakes coverage has everything you need.
The ultimate sprint test awaits! Pick your winner for the Manikato Stakes at Moonee Valley with TAB NZ!
Manikato Stakes Fast Facts
- Last mare to win the Manikato Stakes: Charm Stone (2025)
- Last three-year-old to win the Manikato Stakes: Loving Gaby (2019)
- Last multiple Manikato winner: Hey Doc (2017 & 2020)
- Notable Fact: The race’s now namesake Manikato won this event twice in 1979 and 1982 as the Freeway Stakes
Manikato Stakes betting takes place on the popular Manikato Stakes race which is held at Moonee Valley Racecourse on a Friday night in late September annually.
Manikato Stakes odds are offered on the esteemed Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival Group 1 event, and the field attracts a host of quality sprinters heading towards even bigger and better features over the coming weeks.
The Group 1 Manikato Stakes is one of Australia’s most popular horse races and has been run and won since 1968 when Winfreux became the inaugural champion.
From 2012 – 2023, the race date was moved to Cox Plate Carnival Friday night in late October before being moved back a month to run in September in 2024.
Manikato Stakes history shows the event was originally known as the Freeway Stakes (1968-1983). In 1984 following the death of legendary local sprint champion, Manikato, the race was renamed in his honour.
In 2025 the race is sponsored by online bookmaker Ladbrokes and so is officially known as the Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes.
The Manikato Stakes holds a special place in racing history due a host of turf greats having won the race during their careers including four subsequent Cox Plate winners: Strawberry Road (1983), Rubiton (1987), Dane Ripper (1997), and Sunline (2000).
Taking place at Australia’s notoriously tight racecourse, The Valley or Moonee Valley which is dubbed ‘The Cauldron’, the Manikato Stakes is a 1200m sprint test best suited to horses with previous experience at The Valley and those with good gate speed.
Horses in the Manikato Stakes field must be aged at least three-years-old, and the event is contested at weight-for-age.
It has held Group 1 status since 1989, the year Our Westminster won.
The Manikato Stakes is the fifth Group 1 race of the spring in Melbourne following the Memsie Stakes at Caulfield in late August, the Group 1 A.J. Moir Stakes (1000m) also for the sprinters at The Valley, the Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) at Flemington, and the Group 1 Underwood Stakes (2000m) for Caulfield Cup types.
Get the best Manikato Stakes Night racing odds for Melbourne, racing stats, previews, form and insider tips on races like the meeting’s feature Group 1 race now at the TAB NZ!
Expert Tips on the 2025 Manikato Stakes
Stay tuned for our expert tips and Manikato Stakes betting predictions ahead of this year’s Group 1 feature at The Valley.
2025 Manikato Stakes Same Race Multi Selections ($14 at time of publish) – BET NOW
- Top 2 – No. 2 Baraqiel
- Top 3 – No. 9 Alabama Lass
- Top 4 – No. 5 Magic Time
BARAQIEL (7), a Snitzel seven-year-old and proven The Valley specialist, looks outstanding value in the Manikato Stakes as he aims to make it five-from-five at the track. Lightly raced due to a life-threatening injury, this gelding has redefined the term “comeback king,” going back-to-back this prep in the Listed Norman Carlyon and Group 1 Moir Stakes, where he showed a dazzling turn of foot to hold off Alabama Lass. He thrives on the tight turns, is drawn to get a Moir-like run, and with Ben Allen granted full tactical freedom, the stable’s confidence, and serious momentum behind him, I’m backing him to complete the double and take out his Grand Final.
ALABAMA LASS (1) is an ultra-consistent Kiwi raider from Ken & Bev Kelso’s stable who shapes as genuine value in the Manikato, especially with Craig Williams aboard from an ideal gate five. Boasting six wins and four seconds from ten starts, she impressed on Australian debut carrying 57kg to a Listed win at Flemington and returned this prep a stronger four-year-old. Runner-up to Baraqiel in the Moir, she’s proven up to 1400m and thrives at 1200m, with two wins and two seconds from four attempts. Williams praised her handling of The Valley, and if she settles on pace without overdoing it, she’ll be mighty hard to run down.
MAGIC TIME (5), a classy six-year-old mare by Hellbent trained by Grahame Begg for Yu Long Investments, returns to Group 1 company chasing consecutive wins this prep and makes her Moonee Valley debut with Michael Dee aboard. She boasts a strong six-furlong record (5 wins from 9 starts), including a powerful fresh win in the Group 3 Cockram Stakes where she overcame a wide run and gave weight to Miss Roumbini, who later placed in the Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke. Dropping to 56.5kg under WFA conditions is a plus, and while barrier one presents tactical challenges, her solid second-up record and late finishing burst give her genuine Top 3 claims if she finds clear air.
Manikato Stakes Tips
Manikato Stakes tips on which horse will win the next edition of the event flood in as the countdown to the important Moonee Valley sprint race heats up.
Manikato Stakes tips on what horse will win the Manikato Stakes this year are highly sought after by smart punters and racing fans every season.
When looking at Manikato Stakes race tips it is important to consider factors including:
- What horses in the Manikato Stakes field are proven over the distance?
- Who the key Manikato Stakes trainers and jockeys are and what horses they have in the Manikato Stakes field this year?
- Manikato Stakes barrier statistics and where your Manikato Stakes betting selections are drawn.
- Manikato Stakes horses that have a good past record at the Moonee Valley track.
How long does it take to know if you placed a winning Manikato Stakes race tip? The event itself takes around 1 minute and 10 seconds for competing horses to run the 1,200m trip depending on track conditions.
The official Manikato Stakes winner and winning Manikato Stakes trifecta are known shortly after unless there is a protest or a photo-finish Manikato Stakes result.
What are the best Manikato Stakes lead-up races to look at when placing a Manikato Stakes bet?
Horses traditionally contested the Manikato Stakes off an earlier spring lead-up in a race like the Group 1 Moir Stakes (1000m) at the same track.
The last horse to complete the Moir Stakes – Manikato Stakes double in the same year was Imperatriz (2023).
Australian-Bred Horses in the Manikato Stakes
Betting on the Australian-bred horses in the field is more and more popular as Manikato Stakes tips favour the proven Australian-bred hopes who have dominated the race over the past 20 or so years.
Looking back over the Manikato Stakes history and statistics shows that the only Manikato Stakes winner since the Kiwi-foaled and trained Sunline in 2000 to not have been born down under was the Japanese-bred Brave Smash in 2018.
Manikato Stakes Tips for a Trifecta
Manikato Stakes tips for a trifecta cover the first three horses to officially go past the finishing post in the Manikato Stakes results.
The horse to finish on top of the Manikato Stakes trifecta is your Manikato Stakes winner, the runner who outsprint all their rivals and finished in the fastest time.
Placing a Manikato Stakes trifecta exotic bet on the race is a great way to add to the thrill and potentially be rewarded with a generous pay-out.
A Manikato Stakes trifecta is only successful if the three horses in your bet finish in the exact order you predict. Punters may choose instead to box their trifecta bets on the Manikato Stakes to cover more finishing options and increase the chances of winning.
Adding the favourite into your Manikato Stakes trifecta bet is a top tip as the favourites have an excellent recent strike-rate running in the money.
Key Manikato Stakes Statistics and Insights
Place an informed bet on this year’s Manikato Stakes by considering the following key statistics and insights:
- Win Rates: Horses with high win rates in similar races are strong contenders for the Manikato Stakes. Our Manikato Stakes betting tips available at the TAB NZ Punters Lounge provide detailed win rate statistics.
- Place Percentages: Evaluate horses with consistent place percentages, indicating reliability and competitiveness. Manikato Stakes race tips offer comprehensive data on place percentages.
- Barrier Success Rates: Horses starting from single-digit barriers have historically shown a higher success rate in the Manikato Stakes.
Bet on the next Manikato Stakes race now!
Past Manikato Stakes Results
Recent Manikato Stakes winners, jockeys, trainers, barriers, and weights carried to victory dating back to the year 2005 are detailed in the below table.
| Year | Winner – Age/Gender
Breeding |
Jockey | Weight (kgs) | Trainer/s | BP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | CHARM STONE (AUS) 5M I AM INVINCIBLE (AUS) – NAJOOM (AUS) NORTHERN METEOR (AUS) |
B SHINN | 56.5 | MICK PRICE & MICHAEL KENT JNR | 2 |
| SOUTHPORT TYCOON (AUS) 4H WRITTEN TYCOON (AUS) – READY TO RULE (USA) MORE THAN READY (USA) |
M J ZAHRA | 58.5 | CIARON MAHER | 3 | |
| IMPERATRIZ (AUS) 5M I AM INVINCIBLE (AUS) – BERIMBAU (AUS) SHAMARDAL (USA) |
O P BOSSON | 56.5 | MARK WALKER | 4 | |
| BELLA NIPOTINA (AUS) 5M PRIDE OF DUBAI (AUS) – BELLA ORFANA (AUS) STAR WITNESS (AUS) |
CRAIG WILLIAMS | 56.5 | C MAHER & D EUSTACE | 1 | |
| JONKER (AUS) 6H SPIRIT OF BOOM (AUS) – HEARTS AND ARROWS (AUS) KEMPINSKY (AUS) |
DANIEL MOOR | 58.5 | TONY GOLLAN | 4 | |
| HEY DOC (AUS) 7G DUPORTH (AUS) – HEYINGTON HONEY (AUS) GENERAL NEDIYM (AUS) |
L CURRIE | 58.5 | T & C MCEVOY | 5 | |
| LOVING GABY (AUS) 3F I AM INVINCIBLE (AUS) – MAASTRICHT (NZ) MASTERCRAFTSMAN (IRE) |
CRAIG WILLIAMS | 51.0 | C MAHER & D EUSTACE | 2 | |
| BRAVE SMASH (JPN) 5H TOSEN PHANTOM (JPN) – TOSEN SMASH (JPN) TOKAI TEIO (JPN) |
HUGH BOWMAN | 58.5 | DARREN WEIR | 9 | |
| HEY DOC (AUS) 4G DUPORTH (AUS) – HEYINGTON HONEY (AUS) GENERAL NEDIYM (AUS) |
L CURRIE | 58.5 | TONY MCEVOY | 8 | |
| REBEL DANE (AUS) 7H CALIFORNIA DANE (AUS) – TEXARCANA (AUS) MORE THAN READY (USA) |
B MELHAM | 58.5 | GARY PORTELLI | 4 | |
| CHAUTAUQUA (AUS) 5G ENCOSTA DE LAGO (AUS) – LOVELY JUBLY (AUS) LION HUNTER (AUS) |
TOMMY BERRY | 58.5 | MICHAEL & WAYNE & JOHN HAWKES | 2 | |
| LANKAN RUPEE (AUS) 5G REDOUTE’S CHOICE (AUS) – ESTELLE COLLECTION (NZ) STRAVINSKY (USA) |
C NEWITT | 58.5 | MICK PRICE | 9 | |
| BUFFERING (AUS) 6G MOSSMAN (AUS) – ACTION ANNIE (AUS) ANABAA (USA) |
D J BROWNE | 58.5 | ROBERT HEATHCOTE | 10 | |
| SEA SIREN (AUS) 4M FASTNET ROCK (AUS) – EXPRESS A SMILE (AUS) SUCCESS EXPRESS (USA) |
J CASSIDY | 56.5 | JOHN O’SHEA | 5 | |
| SEPOY (AUS) 3C ELUSIVE QUALITY (USA) – WATCHFUL (AUS) DANEHILL (USA) |
K MCEVOY | 52.0 | PETER SNOWDEN | 1 | |
| HAY LIST (AUS) 5G STATUE OF LIBERTY (USA) – SING HALLELUJAH (AUS) IS IT TRUE (USA) |
G SCHOFIELD | 58.5 | JOHN MCNAIR | 1 | |
| DANLEIGH (AUS) 6G MUJAHID (USA) – GRACEFUL LILY (AUS) DR. GRACE (NZ) |
K MCEVOY | 58.5 | CHRIS WALLER | 1 | |
| TYPHOON ZED (AUS) 5G ZEDITAVE (AUS) – ROYAL DIPLOMA (USA) HONOR GRADES (USA) |
N RAWILLER | 58.5 | T R MARTIN | 11 | |
| GOLD EDITION (AUS) 4M LION HUNTER (AUS) – GLIMMERS (AUS) SUCCESS EXPRESS (USA) |
S KATSIDIS | 56.0 | R E MAUND | 6 | |
| MISS ANDRETTI (AUS) 5M IHTIRAM (IRE) – PEGGIE’S BID (AUS) MAROONED (GB) |
C NEWITT | 55.0 | D L FREEDMAN | 13 | |
| SPARK OF LIFE (AUS) 5G NINE CARAT (USA) – SPARKLING BOUNTY (AUS) CELSIUS (AUS) |
G BOSS | 57.5 | ALLAN DENHAM | 12 |
Manikato Stakes Betting Info
Manikato Stakes betting is open months ahead of the fifth Group 1 Melbourne, spring race down under at the TAB NZ.
We offer pre-nomination Manikato Stakes betting odds throughout the year that are known as futures Manikato Stakes odds online.
All-In Manikato Stakes betting markets are then available following the official Manikato Stakes nominations taken the Monday of race week.
Betting on the Manikato Stakes field is available following final acceptances which close on the Tuesday of race week.
Betting on the Manikato Stakes often favours short distance sprinters coming off lead-up runs in the Moir Stakes with this race proving a good form line to follow into the Manikato Stakes each spring.
Manikato Stakes race betting traditionally focuses on the runners aged at least five who have an outstanding record in the event and the fillies and mares who have a top strike-rate over the boys in this sprint ahead of even bigger and better events over the spring.
For the best online betting on the Manikato Stakes, consider tipping a horse to win both the Manikato Stakes and another Group 1 race over the carnival in a spring double!
Manikato Stakes Field
The Manikato Stakes field attracts a line-up of top-line horses each season with runners coming from stables around Australia and New Zealand.
Manikato Stakes Acceptance Dates
It is crucial to take note of when the Manikato Stakes field is out, what time Manikato Stakes nominations close and the official Manikato Stakes acceptance dates when placing a Manikato Stakes bet online as horses may drop out of the race and bets may be cancelled.
The Manikato Stakes field features a capacity of 14 horses plus emergencies.
See below for the official Manikato Stakes field dates for 2025.
- 2025 Manikato Stakes Nominations: Close on Monday, September 22, 2025, at 12:00pm (Melbourne time).
- 2025 Manikato Stakes Final Field: Revealed on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, at 9:00am (Melbourne time).
- 2025 Manikato Stakes Barrier Draw: Conducted on Tuesday, September 23, 2025.
Where can you bet on the Manikato Stakes?
The best place to bet on this year’s Manikato Stakes race is through the TAB NZ online.
Manikato Stakes Odds
Manikato Stakes odds and online betting tips on the Manikato Stakes are dominated by proven Group 1 horses, the elite sprinters in the race with form at the tight Moonee Valley track and Melbourne-trained gallopers who have a great record in the event heading towards the event after a few earlier lead-up spring runs.
Where can I find the Manikato Stakes odds?
For the latest odds and updates on the Manikato Stakes, TAB NZ is your go-to source. They provide real-time odds fluctuations, ensuring you have the most current information to make informed betting decisions. It’s crucial to monitor these odds closely, as they reflect the market’s perception of each horse’s chances, influenced by factors like form, barrier draw, and track conditions.
How to Place a Bet on the Manikato Stakes
Want to know how to make a bet on the Manikato Stakes? Visit the TAB NZ racing page to access the latest Manikato Stakes betting odds and options.
It is simple to learn how to place a bet on the Manikato Stakes online.
You can place a Manikato Stakes bet online anytime markets are live.
There are more ways than ever to get involved in betting on the Manikato Stakes.
From seasoned punters analysing form guides to casual racing fans drawn to the excitement, the Manikato Stakes is a race for everyone.
Whether you’re diving deep into the latest Manikato Stakes race field, joining a sweepstake with friends, or simply enjoying the atmosphere of the spring carnival at Moonee Valley Racecourse, the Manikato Stakes has it all!
This important spring lead-up race showcases Australia’s finest thoroughbreds and attracts attention from all over the country as the count down to the richest sprint races of the season heats up!
How to Bet on the Manikato Stakes in 2025?
1. Log in or sign-up with TAB NZ.
2. Make a secure online deposit using one of the TAB NZ safe deposit methods.
3. Check out the Manikato Stakes betting guide, Manikato Stakes form guide and our expert Manikato Stakes tips.
4. Choose a Manikato Stakes bet to place such as Win, Place, Each-Way or the Manikato Stakes Trifecta. There are many more Manikato Stakes betting options available so make sure to check out our Manikato Stakes betting markets.
5. Select the Manikato Stakes horse you want to bet on from the early markets, Manikato Stakes nominations or Manikato Stakes field.
What are the popular betting markets for the Manikato Stakes?
When it comes to betting on the Manikato Stakes, there are a number of more popular betting options with punters including:
Exotics: These include Quinella, Trifecta, and First Four, where you predict the specific order of finishers, offering potentially higher payouts but requiring more precise predictions.
Win & Place: Bet on a horse to win or finish in the top places. This is one of the most straightforward and popular betting options.
Each-Way: A combination of win and place bets, providing a safety net if your chosen horse doesn’t win but finishes in the top positions.
What makes betting on the Manikato Stakes so popular?
The fact that the Manikato Stakes is the first Group 1 sprint in Melbourne for the spring contested over the 1200m and one of the key lead-up races at the Melbourne Carnival of Racing make it a must watch and must bet on horse racing event.
What makes the Manikato Stakes so special?
The Manikato Stakes serves as a great guide historically to other important spring sprint races like world’s richest turf race – Sydney’s The Everest in October – and Flemington’s Group 1 Champions Sprint during the Melbourne Cup Carnival, so using the Manikato form for these upcoming events is popular with punters.
Australian and international racing fans, including those in New Zealand, tune into the thrilling 1200m spring event every season to see if their bets on the Manikato Stakes won!
The Manikato Stakes currently offers A$2 million in prize money plus bragging rights with jockeys, trainers and owners from across the country and further abroad keen to add their names to the list of Manikato Stakes champions.
How many horses can run in the Manikato Stakes?
The Manikato Stakes field has a 14-starter limit plus emergencies with final acceptances announced the Tuesday of race week.
Manikato Stakes race tips centre on proven sprint stars that have good lead-up form, horses with previous experience at the tight Moonee Valley circuit, and the female runners who have a dominant recent record in the race.
The Manikato Stakes is a weight-for-age race open to horses aged three-years-old and above meaning the older the horse is the more weight they will carry.
The highest-rated horse in the Manikato Stakes field dons the number one saddlecloth.
How many mares have won the Manikato Stakes in recent years?
Since 1994, the mares have won the Manikato Stakes 12 times most recently in 2025 with Charm Stone’s upset victory.
What age group has the best Manikato Stakes record?
Five-year-olds have dominated the Manikato Stakes results in recent years with 11 saluting between 2000 and 2025, most recently Charm Stone in 2025.
The oldest recent Manikato Stakes winner was Hey Doc in 2020 who saluted as a seven-year-old.
The youngest recent Manikato Stakes winner was Loving Gaby in 2019 who beat home the older horses as a three-year-old filly.
Between 2000 and 2025 the breakdown of Manikato Stakes winners by age is as follows:
- 3YOS – 2 (latest Loving Gaby 2019)
- 4YOs – 5 (latest Southport Tycoon in 2024)
- 5YOs – 11 (latest Charm Stone in 2025)
- 6YOs – 5 (latest Jonker in 2021)
- 7YOs – 3 (latest Hey Doc in 2020)
Manikato Stakes Prize Money
The Manikato Stakes prize money may not compare to the stakes on offer in events like the A$20 million The Everest and A$10 million The Golden Eagle which are both held in Sydney over the spring, but it remains a highlight of the Australian racing calendar.
The Manikato Stakes prize money is set at A$2 million in total stakes allocated between first to eighth place.
How much does the Manikato Stakes winner get? The winning Manikato Stakes horse receives a total of A$1.2 million in prize money.
See below for the official breakdown of Manikato Stakes prizes on offer from the Manikato Stakes winner to the eighth horse to cross the finish line in the official Manikato Stakes results.
- First: A$1,200,000
- Second: A$360,000
- Third: A$180,000
- Fourth: A$90,000
- Fifth: A$50,000
- Sixth: A$40,000
- Seventh: A$40,000
- Eighth: A$40,000
Conducted by the Moonee Valley Racing Club (MVRC), the Manikato Stakes is a mid-carnival feature race at the Moonee Valley track over the all-important Melbourne Spring Carnival.
The Manikato Stakes has been won by a host of turf greats including star New Zealand-trained mares Sunline (2000) and Imperatriz (2023).
How many international horses have won the Manikato Stakes?
None. So far, a horse trained outside of Australia or New Zealand has not won the Manikato Stakes with most Northern Hemisphere raiders opting to target the Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup staying races later in the spring for which European horses are better bred to perform in.
How many horses have won the Manikato Stakes more than once?
Six horses have won multiple editions of the race including the race’s now namesake Manikato who won the then Freeway Stakes in 1979 and 1982. The latest two-time Manikato Stakes champion was Hey Doc who saluted three years apart in 2017 and 2020.
Multiple Manikato Stakes Champions
Dual Choice (1970-71), Tauto (1973-74), Manikato (1979 & 1982), Spinning Hill (2002-03), Spark Of Life (2004-05), and Hey Doc (2017 & 2020).
Manikato Stakes Race Records
What was the fastest Manikato Stakes winning time? Hey Doc won the Manikato Stakes for the second time in 2020 in a new record time of 1 minute 08:76 seconds over the 1200m.
What races will runners out of the Manikato Stakes target in the spring?
Following a run in the Manikato Stakes key spring targets for the top contenders include the $20 million The Everest (1200m) slot race run at Randwick in October and Flemington’s Group 1 Champions Sprint (1200m) over the Melbourne Cup Carnival.
Imperatriz (2023) was the last horse to complete the Manikato Stakes – Champions Sprint in the same calendar year.
What Time Does the Manikato Stakes Start?
The Manikato Stakes start time changes depending on whether the event is run under the lights on a Friday night at Moonee Valley or on a Saturday time slot.
Manikato Stakes Barriers
The Manikato Stakes barrier draw and allocated Manikato Stakes gates play a key role for many punters when deciding on what horses to bet on in the big race.
When is the Manikato Stakes barrier draw?
The Manikato Stakes barrier draw is conducted on the same day as final acceptances close which is the Tuesday of race week around 9:00am local Melbourne time.
Barriers have historically affected the Manikato Stakes results with the distance and make-up of the course best suited to horses drawn between barriers one and eight.
Barrier 3 is the most recent Manikato Stakes winning barrier with Southport Tycoon in 2024.
Six Manikato Stakes winners from 2000-2024 jumped from double-digit gates most recently Buffering (10 in 2013).
Barrier 13 is the widest barrier to produce a Manikato Stakes winner between 2000 and 2024 with Miss Andretti the latest to salute from that gate in 2006.
What is the most successful recent Manikato Stakes barrier draw?
Barriers 1 and 4 have both produced four Manikato Stakes winners between 2000 and 2025 most recently Bella Nipotina (barrier 1 in 2022) and Imperatriz (barrier 4 in 2023).
Breakdown of winning Manikato Stakes barriers between 2000-25:
- Barrier 1 – 4 (latest Bella Nipotina in 2022)
- Barrier 2 – 3 (latest Charm Stone in 2025)
- Barrier 3 – 1 (latest Southport Tycoon in 2024)
- Barrier 4 – 4 (latest Imperatriz in 2023)
- Barrier 5 – 2 (latest Hey Doc in 2020)
- Barrier 6 – 2 (latest Gold Edition in 2007)
- Barrier 7 – 0
- Barrier 8 – 2 (latest Hey Doc in 2017)
- Barrier 9 – 2 (latest Brave Smash in 2018)
- Barrier 10 – 3 (latest Buffering in 2013)
- Barrier 11 – 1 (latest Typhoon Zed in 2008)
- Barrier 12 – 1 (latest Spark Of Life in 2005)
- Barrier 13 – 1 (latest Miss Andretti in 2006)
Manikato Stakes Betting Favourites
Favourites in Manikato Stakes betting are those horses that jump at the shortest Manikato Stakes odds.
From 2007 to 2025 six Manikato Stakes favourites have won.
Last Manikato Stakes favourite to win: Imperatriz ($1.40 in 2023)
Last odds-on Manikato Stakes favourite to win: Imperatriz ($1.40 in 2023)
Last Manikato Stakes favourite to finish worse than third: Lady Shenandoah (4th in 2025)
The last Manikato Stakes favourite to finish worse than third and miss out on a spot in the Manikato Stakes trifecta was the Chris Waller trained mare Lady Shenandoah who started at $2.35 before running fourth to the upset winner Charm Stone ($31) in 2025.
Manikato Stakes Form
We offer a complete Manikato Stakes form guide and expert analysis on every horse in the Manikato Stakes field in addition to insider Manikato Stakes racing tips and betting odds.
Our Manikato Stakes form guides include:
- Manikato Stakes race preview and predictions
- Racing analysis on the event and runners
- Previous runs, barrier trials and lead-up statistics
- Key information on all horses in the race like trainer and jockey form
- Runner commentary
Whether you are just starting out tipping horses in the Manikato Stakes or you are an expert Manikato Stakes tipster, our form guide gives you all the statistics and information you need to make a smart bet on the Manikato Stakes.
How to Read the Manikato Stakes Guide
Here’s a step-by-step explanation of how to interpret a horse’s form and performance indicators when looking at this year’s Manikato Stakes form guide:
Barrier Position: Evaluate the horse’s barrier draw and its historical performance from similar starting positions.
Recent Performances: Review the horse’s last few races, focusing on finish positions and the quality of competition faced.
Track and Distance Records: Check the horse’s performance on similar track conditions and distances to gauge suitability.
Jockey and Trainer Stats: Consider the success rates of the jockey and trainer combination, particularly in the Manikato Stakes race.
Weight Carried: Analyse how the weight carried in previous races compares to the Manikato Stakes as this can impact performance.
Manikato Stakes Day Betting
Manikato Stakes Day betting is dominated by online Manikato Stakes bets, but there are also a host of exciting support races that the TAB NZ offer top Moonee Valley racing odds on.
This year the Manikato Stakes is the only Group 1 event on the card, but the other Group status Manikato Stakes Day races to check out our insider Melbourne racing tips for include the:
- Group 2 A$500,000 John F. Feehan Stakes (1600m) – formerly the Dato’ Tan Chin Nam,
- Group 2 A$300,000 Bill Stutt Stakes (1600m),
- Group 2 A$300,000 Stocks Stakes (1600m), and the
- Group 3 A$200,000 Scarborough Stakes (1200m) – formerly the MVRC Champagne Stakes.
Manikato Stakes Results
The Manikato Stakes results are known when the event takes place on a Friday night under the lights at The Valley in late September.
You can bet on the Manikato Stakes race results weeks ahead of race day with our futures Manikato Stakes markets here at the TAB NZ.
Betting on the Manikato Stakes results entails picking the Manikato Stakes winning horse and we can help you place an informed bet on the Manikato Stakes with our Manikato Stakes tips and form guide.
Other Manikato Stakes results include the winning jockeys, trainers, successful barrier and finishing time.
The complete Manikato Stakes finishing order shows what position every horse in the traditional 14-horse field ran.
Some punters even like to place bets on what horse will finish last in the Manikato Stakes results!
Manikato Stakes exotic results show how all the exotic Manikato Stakes bet types resulted like the Manikato Stakes Quinella, Manikato Stakes Exacta, Manikato Stakes Trifecta, and Manikato Stakes First Four.
Manikato Stakes Jockeys
Securing a ride in the Manikato Stakes field is a highly sought-after achievement for jockeys around Australia and New Zealand. Winning this important spring lead-up race is a nice early campaign goal for many of Australasia’s top riders looking to secure a Group 1 trophy during the carnival.
What jockeys are riding in the Manikato Stakes field is determined by the owners and trainers of the horses, and official Manikato Stakes jockey announcements are made in the weeks and days leading up to the race.
Blake Shinn is the latest Manikato Stakes winning jockey having ridden Charm Stone for her two-length upset in 2025.
The last New Zealand rider to win the Manikato Stakes was Opie Bosson on classy Kiwi mare Imperatriz in 2023.
Patrick Payne aboard dual champion Spinning Hill (2002-03) is the last back-to-back Manikato Stakes winning jockey.
Who are the most successful recent Manikato Stakes jockeys?
From 2000 – 2025 a number of jockeys have twice won the Manikato Stakes including Craig Williams, Luke Currie, Craig Newitt, Kerrin McEvoy, Nash Rawiller, and Patrick Payne.
Stay tuned to the TAB NZ racing blog to see what jockeys lock in a confirmed ride on one of the Manikato Stakes horses this spring.
Manikato Stakes Trainers
Between 2000 and 2025 the most successful Manikato Stakes trainer having prepared three winners was Ciaron Maher who won in partnership with David Eustace in 2019 with Loving Gaby and 2022 with Bella Nipotina before saluting for a third time as a solo trainer in 2024 with Southport Tycoon.
Mark Walker was the last New Zealand trainer to take out the Manikato Stakes with Imperatriz in 2023.
Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr are the latest Manikato Stakes winning trainers having prepared Charm Stone in 2025.
Manikato Stakes Winners
Notable Manikato Stakes winners throughout history include:
Vain (1969): Champion sprinter and subsequent star sire who won 12 of his 14 starts between 1968–70 including the Golden Slipper Stakes as a juvenile.
Manikato (1979 & 1982): The race’s namesake, Manikato was a champion sprinter and Australian Racing Hall of Famer who joined Kingston Town as then then only two $1 million stakes earners in Australia. His impressive CV included victories in the Blue Diamond Stakes (1978) and Golden Slipper (1978) as a two-year-old and five victories in the William Reid Stakes. He twice won this event, and due to his incredible record at The Valley he was buried at Moonee Valley Racecourse following his death in 1984.
Strawberry Road (1983): Beautifully-bred thoroughbred who went on to win that year’s Cox Plate. Would become an international superstar racing in Germany, France, the United States, and Japan.
Dane Ripper (1998): Ace mare trained by the great Bart Cummings who won the previous year’s Cox Plate.
Sunline (2000): The best mare to ever come out of New Zealand, the front-running Sunline was at the time the world’s highest earning race mare. This four-time New Zealand Horse of the Year and three-time Australian Horse of the Year set a plethora of records on the track and was the most winningest Group 1 New Zealand horse with 13 until surpassed by Melody Belle in 2021. Was also a dual Cox Plate champion.
Hay List (2010): Regular foe of the mighty Black Caviar, the hulking sprinter Hay List was a gutsy champion who continue to defy the odds returning from injuries to race in Australia’s biggest sprint events.
Chautauqua (2015): The ‘Grey Flash’ Chautauqua was one of Australia’s best sprinters famously winning the TJ Smith Stakes in Sydney three times.
Bella Nipotina (2022): Lovely Melbourne-based mare with a great affinity for The Valley, she won this race in 2022 following a day’s delay due to lightning on course and would go on to win by nearly five lengths improving on her second to Jonker the year before.
Imperatriz (2023): Mark Walker-trained New Zealander who won 10 Group 1 races across Australasia including completing the Moir Stakes – Manikato Stakes – Champions Sprint treble in 2023 as well as the following year’s Black Caviar Lightning. One of her more notable New Zealand victories were in the Railway Stakes.
Charm Stone (2025): The Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr trained mare Charm Stone was enormous first-up in the 2025 Manikato Stakes when given a lovely ride from barrier two by Blake Shinn to surge past track specialist Baraqiel and salute by two lengths as a $31 outside. The win was her second Group 1 following on from the Robert Sangster Stakes in Adelaide.
Bet on the next Manikato Stakes winner with our comprehensive Manikato Stakes form guide and expert Manikato Stakes tips at the TAB NZ!
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