Manikato Stakes Tips, Betting, Odds, Horses & More 2024

The Manikato Stakes commands a prestigious position in the Melbourne Spring Carnival, shining as a vital spectacle in a series of electrifying races. Traditionally held under the famous lights at The Valley, this contest has burgeoned into a must-watch event for race aficionados, bettors, and key industry figures. 

The charm of the Manikato Stakes is not only anchored in its Group 1 distinction but also in its capacity to draw the elite of sprinting talent from across Australia. Many other key races take place on the same weekend as the Manikato Stakes. If you’d like to learn more about those races, check out our Group One races list.

The Manikato Stakes stands as a premier launch pad for some of Australia's top sprinters into further riches. Many believe that the Manikato Stakes is the sprint race of the Melbourne Spring Carnival. This is probably why the race has such a high viewership each year.

We’ve seen the race move around in terms of the date in recent times. Previously, the race was moved to the day before the Cox Plate, but now the race has been moved to about a month before the Cox Plate. There are heaps of racing at Moonee Valley during the Spring, so it’s no wonder many believe it to be one of the top tracks in the country.

The team here at OnlyRacing cover every aspect you care about for the Manikato Stakes. So, if you’re looking for horse racing betting information on the race or even field and form guide details, we’ve got you sorted. You’ll be a Manikato Stakes expert in no time!

With an impressive $2 million purse up for grabs, it's undeniably a noteworthy race to clinch, with the victor taking home a handsome sum of $1.2 million. The top eight runners get a slice of the pie as well. Check out the breakdown below:

If you’re looking for Manikato Stakes tips, then you’ve come to the right place! It’s our job to provide readers with the best tips going around and our experts take their job very seriously. Our experts are waiting until race week when the final field is confirmed to provide their horse racing tips.

Our Manikato Stakes tips have a little something for everyone including a best bet, next best and best roughie. We go through all the important information about each and every runner and pick the top horses. We’d never tip a horse that we wouldn’t bet on ourselves! 

While our 2024 Manikato Stakes tips aren’t available just yet, we have decided to leave our tips for the race in 2023 up. Check out which runners made the cut for our experts below:

Manikato Stakes Best Bet - Imperatriz

Pretty much no value with Imperatriz, but I simply cannot see any other runner in the Manikato Stakes field beating him. Three wins on the trot and I would be completely shocked if she doesn’t make it four. She has won six Group 1s now and last time out, she won the Moir Stakes by 1.3L.

Her last 200m of the Moir Stakes was the fastest of the entire meeting, so you know she just oozes speed, speed and more speed. Gets a good gate, but I don’t even think that will matter, she can win from any gate and doesn’t even need luck on her side, she should do it with skill and skill alone.

Manikato Stakes Next Best - I Am Me

Side-stepping Buenos Noches, who is currently the second favourite in the market, and going with I Am Me as my next best for the Manikato Stakes. The current $6.00 chance will be stepping out in a Group 1 level race for just the second time, but I think there's just something about her.

She has won nine of 16 races to date and while this is a step up, she has defeated some handy opposition in the past. She’ll likely be no match for Imperatriz, but a second place or at least a top three is on the cards I think. JMac takes the reins, so I’m expecting a big show from the mare.

Manikato Stakes Best Roughie - Uncommon James

Difficult to find value in a field of just seven runners, especially considering there won’t be any third dividends. Despite this, I’ve tipped Uncommon James as my best roughie for the Manikato Stakes and he is currently listed at odds of $10. I think this race suits him the most out of all the other potential Spring races, so this could be his time to shine.

And by “shine” I mean finish in the top three, top two if he is lucky. There’s no way I can see Uncommon James beating Imperatriz here. He is already a Group 1 winner, after claiming victory in the Oakleigh Plate in Autumn. He is coming into this race in some form as well, so I’m willing to take a chance.

We will have all our up-to-date tips ready for the Manikato Stakes during race week. Be sure to check back during that time.

Betting on the Manikato Stakes and other notable Australian horse racing events offers a thrilling chance to showcase your understanding of the sport. You can opt for simple Fixed Win or Place bets or venture into more complex exotic wagers, catering to a wide array of betting preferences. 

Whether your strategy leans toward multis, exotic wagers, focusing on standout jockeys, or identifying the most backed bets of the day, this section aims to equip you with the knowledge needed for a savvy wager. You’ll have all the knowledge you need to be confident when placing bets.

Anticipation is high for the Manikato Stakes, a riveting Group 1 showdown set at Moonee Valley Racecourse. When the time is right to place a bet, navigating the myriad of Australian betting apps can be daunting, but our goal is to simplify this process by recommending several trustworthy options. 

Before you delve into our suggestions, familiarise yourself with the Manikato Stakes lineup to pinpoint your favoured horses. It's essential to take into account the odds a bookmaker offers. Doing a bit of legwork by comparing the odds given by various bookmakers for your chosen market can aid in identifying the one with the most favourable odds. 

Opting for one of the best Australian betting sites that quotes the best odds amplifies your potential returns. For an extensive roundup of Australian bookmakers that cater to Group 1 thoroughbred horse racing enthusiasts, our bookmaker reviews page is at your disposal.

Your personal comfort with a bookmaker shouldn't be overlooked. Many Australian bettors lean towards bookmakers they've interacted with before, often because of a preferred app or platform. On our bookmaker reviews page, you'll find evaluations on each bookmaker's trustworthiness, aiding you in a well-informed choice.

Betting sites bonuses can be pivotal in deciding on a bookmaker. Our OnlyRacing bonus offers page showcases the array of incentives and bonuses Australian bookmakers extend to existing users. Some might even have unique deals tailored for the Manikato Stakes, warranting a closer look.

In essence, there's no one-size-fits-all approach to picking a bookmaker for the Manikato Stakes. It remains imperative, however, to transact with a reputable bookmaker (like EliteBet, PalmerBet or Unibet) and complete any required verification steps before betting. 

Each year, when race week rolls in, we get super excited because the final field will be announced! As it is not currently race week, we still don’t know which runners will make up the Manikato Stakes field. No need to worry though as we will bring you all the information as soon as it comes in.

Along with the field for the Manikato Stakes, you should check out the odds for the race, if they are available. Checking out the odds will give you some sort of inclination of which runners are currently more favoured in the market and could potentially make an appearance.

We can’t see into the future to figure out which runners will line up in the Manikato Stakes, but what we can do is take a look back at the field of runners who took part in the race in 2023. Check out all the details below:

A small but juicy field lines up for the Manikato Stakes in 2023. In total, we saw just seven runners confirmed for the race and no emergencies listed either. Before the race, there was one scratching of Buenos Noches, which resulted in the final field being cut down to just six.

Unfortunately, scratchings happen all the time in horse racing. It is never nice to see a horse scratched, but it can be for several reasons and not just because the horse isn’t fighting fit. Scratchings can happen at any time between when the final field is announced and just minutes before race jump time.

Along with any scratchings, you should also check out the barrier draw. The barrier each runner jumps from can have an influence on how the race pans out. Different race tactics will likely need to be thought out, depending on which barrier each runner draws.

You know what they say - the stats don’t lie! And this is certainly the case when it comes to the Manikato Stakes form guide. For a race that has been running for as long as the Manikato Stakes, we’ve got a lot of stats and data to go through. 

The whole point of doing a form guide is to find patterns in the data that can hopefully point you in the direction of a winner. If you don’t have the time to do this yourself, we have some good news for you. The OnlyRacing team has gone through and found all the key form indicators that you need to know. Check out the details below!

The clear lead-up race for the Manikato Stakes is the Moir Stakes, which is also held at Moonee Valley. Another lead-up race that is worthy of checking out is the Gilgai Stakes, which is run over the same distance. 

Moonee Valley is a unique track with tight turns, so it pays to check out horses that have had previous success at this track. With a track like Moonee Valley, it makes the barrier draw even more important. So, check out horses that have good gate speed, so they can settle where they want in the field.

We have seen that since 2009, only one Manikato Stakes winner has jumped from a barrier wider than nine. With this, it is also important to keep in mind that the race doesn’t always attract 10+ runners each year. 

Mares have a fairly decent record in the Manikato Stakes, so it’s worth checking them out. Since 1994, we have seen 11 mares win the race. Along with this, favourites have performed well, winning on seven occasions since 2007.

Since 2014, every single winner has had at least three runs under their belt in their prep before taking on the Manikato Stakes. When looking at the age of winners, you should avoid 3YOs, in the past 31 years, we have seen only three 3YOs win the Manikato Stakes.

A race like the Manikato Stakes has a lot of history and we have seen some of the best racehorses ever compete and win the race. We have so many options to choose from and feature in this section, but we only have room for a handful of the best Manikato Stakes horses.

We’ve made the tough decisions and picked out some horses to feature. We go through their career in more detail including their major wins and any other honours they may have received. Check out all the details below:

Manikato - 1979 & 1982

We couldn’t have a list of the best-ever horses to compete in the Manikato Stakes without talking about the horse the race is named after, Manikato! He won over $1 million in prize money throughout his career, thanks to wins in races like the William Reid Stakes, the Golden Slipper and the Caulfield Guineas.

Dane Ripper - 1998

Dane Ripper won the 1998 Manikato Stakes along with 11 other races throughout her career. She amassed over $3 million in prize money and won some pretty big races including; the Cox Plate, the Stradbroke Handicap and the Australian Cup. In 1998, Dane Ripper was named the Australian Champion Filly or Mare.

Sunline - 2000

Sunline finished her career with a record of 48:32-9-3, which included winning the 2000 Manikato Stakes. She was named the Australian Horse of the Year for three years in a row, from 2000 until 2002. Some of the biggest races she won included; the Cox Plate, the Flight Stakes and the Doncaster Mile.

Miss Andretti - 2006

Miss Andretti won the Manikato Stakes in 2006 and ended her career with a record of 31:19-3-2. She was named the 2007 Australian Horse of the Year and won key races like the Newmarket Handicap, the Winterbottom Stakes and the Black Caviar Lightning Stakes. Throughout her career, she pocketed a total of $2,848,991 in prize money.

Chautauqua - 2015

The Grey Flash captured the hearts of many Australians during his time racing. He made almost $9 million in prize money and was named the Australian Champion Sprinter in 2016. Some of the key races he won throughout his career included; the TJ Smith Stakes and the Black Caviar Lightning Stakes.

The Manikato Stakes odds are probably one of the most important aspects to consider if you’re going to bet on the race. The odds for any race, including the Manikato Stakes, are as fickle as they come. You’ll notice the odds will be changing constantly and different bookies may even have different odds for the same markets.

As we get closer to the Manikato Stakes, more markets will open up, so if you want to place your bet on something more exotic, you can do so! There will be many different horse racing markets that you can bet on, no matter the bookie you prefer to bet with.

If you’ve come here to find out what the odds are for all the runners in the Manikato Stakes, we’ve got some bad news for you. The odds haven’t been released yet on the PlayUp website. We will keep an eye on things though and as soon as we can, we’ll bring you the odds in all their glory.

One of our recommendations is to bet when the market is listed as “Before Noms”. This is because you’ll get your cash back if the horse you picked doesn’t make the final field. As well as this, you’ll notice that the price you’re getting is potentially a low higher than compared to if you’re placing your bets the day of the race.

We’ll have all the information you’ve been looking for when PlayUp releases its market. Make sure you check back here soon!

Named in homage to one of Australia’s most celebrated sprinters, the Manikato Stakes is a race steeped in tradition, determination, and legendary equine prowess. Taking place at the iconic Moonee Valley Racecourse, the race is an emblematic sprint event that showcases the best of Australian horse racing.

Initiated in 1968, the Manikato Stakes was first won by a horse named Winfreux, galloping over a consistent distance of 1,200 metres. It was formerly known as the Freeway Stakes until 1984 when it was fittingly renamed after the iconic sprinter Manikato. 

Acquired for a mere $3,500, Manikato, the son of Manihi, became a sensation on the tracks, amassing over $1 million in winnings from his spectacular career. He not only secured two victories in the race now bearing his name but also enjoyed significant achievements.

For example, he won the William Reid Stakes on five consecutive occasions from 1979 to 1983. Moreover, the chestnut gelding stood out for clinching both the Blue Diamond Stakes and the Golden Slipper, with an astonishing 29 triumphs from 47 starts.

The evolution of the race's classification mirrors its growing prestige. Initially a Principal Race, it was elevated to Group 2 status in 1978, before reaching its pinnacle as a Group 1 race in 1989. This shift reflected its increasing importance in the horse racing calendar and the fact the race is in the middle of one of the biggest horse racing carnivals of the year. 

By 2012, the race was strategically repositioned to be part of the renowned Cox Plate weekend, taking place on a Friday evening, setting the stage for the grandeur of the Saturday Plate. This has since changed, and the Manikato Stakes is now run about a month before the Cox Plate.

Delving deeper into its celebrated history now. We have seen four horses – Strawberry Road, Rubiton, Dane Ripper and Sunline – have achieved the remarkable feat of claiming both the Manikato Stakes and the Cox Plate titles. 

This unique double victory is especially noteworthy given the races' stark distance difference. Another captivating aspect of this sprint event is the consistent success of mares. Since 1994, mares have claimed the title on ten occasions, with a filly adding to that tally in 2019.

We’ve made finding out the latest Manikato Stakes results as easy as possible. You’ll get all the results-related information in this section including a table with the finishing order of all the runners in the most recent Manikato Stakes, along with a race replay so you can see for yourself how the race unfolded.

For the Manikato Stakes in 2023, we saw just six runners compete. In the end, it was the heavy favourite, Imperatriz, who dominated the race, winning by 3.3L! In second place was I Am Me, who was on the second line of betting and the only other running in single-digits after the scratching of Buenos Noches.

There were no third dividends in the 2023 Manikato Stakes, but Uncommon James finished in third place, 3.7L off the pace. The race was run in a time of 1:09.59, so blink and you’d miss it! There was a total of 7.4L that separated all six runners.

Check out the full Manikato Stakes results below:

It’s time to relive all the epic action of the Manikato Stakes! For your viewing pleasure, check out the video below:

There is usually only one winner in every horse race, except in the rare case of a dead heat. If you’re looking for more information on all the recent Manikato Stakes winners, you’ve come to the right place. Check out all the winners of the Manikato Stakes since 2010 below:

But wait, there’s more! If you’ve still got some burning questions about the Manikato Stakes, this section is for you. We’ve gone through and answered all the common questions people have about the race. Check out all the details below: